PSG lessons not learned as dressing room stance emerges ahead of Liverpool

PSG lessons not learned as dressing room stance emerges ahead of Liverpool

PSG are said to be 'more confident than ever' ahead of their Champions League second leg against Liverpool despite a 1-0 defeat in Paris

Luis Enrique of Paris Saint-Germain arrives at the stadium before the Ligue 1 match between Stade Rennais and Paris Saint-Germain at Roazhon Park on March 08, 2025 (Image: Xavier Laine/Getty Images )

Paris-Saint Germain are 'more confident than ever' about overturning a 1-0 deficit to defeat Liverpool and move into the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday night. The French champions travel to Anfield a goal behind after Harvey Elliott's last-gasp strike secured the Reds an unlikely victory in Paris last week.

Liverpool have never failed to progress on the 39 other occasions they have won a first leg away in Europe and Elliott's goal could prove to be a crucial one in the tie. And with Anfield on their side, it's no major surprise that the Reds have such a strong record.

‌

Article continues below

Yet that doesn't seem to be troubling PSG, who have reportedly only gained confidence from their domination of the first leg on Wednesday evening.

Indeed, Luis Enrique's side had 27 shots to Liverpool's two and found Alisson Becker in inspired form with nine saves made on the night. So much so that the Brazilian admitted it may have been the best performance of his entire career.

And that has led to claims that PSG were 'surprised by Liverpool's level' and believe both Bayern Munich and Arsenal - opponents in the group stage that Liverpool topped - are more complete teams than the Reds.

‌

The Parisians were also said to have been upset with what they believed were time-wasting tactics from their visitors and the players are now "obsessed" with the second leg.

“Despite the defeat, they are more confident (about qualifying) now than they were before the match,” a club source told the famed French publication L’Équipe.

The claims tally with the response of PSG's players to Wednesday's shocking defeat, with several stars speaking out afterwards to go on record with their belief that the tie is there to be won at Anfield.

‌

Vitanha, Willian Pacho and Achraf Hakim, as well the frustrated Khvicha Kvaratskhelia all expressed confidence that PSG would turn things around on Merseyside.

And boss Enrique certainly signalled his intentions to go all out for victory against Liverpool by ringing the changes when his side overcame Rennes 4-1 on Saturday.

Enrique has made eight changes from the game in midweek, with Joao Neves, Bradley Barcola and Willian Pacho the only players named in the starting XI for Sunday's game against Rennes who started against the Reds.

‌

Big names Ousmane Dembele, Kvaratskhelia, Fabian Ruiz, Hakimi, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Vitinha and Nuno Mendes were left on the bench, while captain Marquinhos was not even in the squad.

"I think we'll be in the best possible shape for the Liverpool game," Enrique told reporters after the game. "Our only objective is victory and that's what we're going for.

"Football allows for surprises; it is true that we were down and sad after the (first-leg) game but as we have analysed the game and after beating Rennes, which is a difficult team, it makes us hopeful.

‌

"I repeat, we have nothing to lose, which makes us a more dangerous team than we usually are."

And PSG have been given a further boost by the naming of Istvan Kovacs as the referee for the game. The Hungarian took charge as PSG overcame a 2-0 first leg deficit to defeat Barcelona in last season's competition and has officiated in just one Liverpool match, a 5-2 defeat at home to Real Madrid in 2023.

Yet for all PSG's confidence, they might find themselves taken aback by Liverpool's 'level' at Anfield. There's no doubt that Enrique's side were the dominant side last week but the Champions League is littered with opponents who underestimated the effect Liverpool's stadium can have on both the home and away sides.

Article continues below

PSG's last visit to Anfield saw Roberto Firmino smash home a last-minute winner, with Neymar forced to eat his dismissive words about Liverpool later that season as the Reds went on to win the competition.

This term, Liverpool have scored a minimum of two goals in all but one of their home games this season. The champions of England, Spain, Germany and indeed, Europe, have all been dispatched by Slot's Reds.

Indeed, should Liverpool perform as they have for much of the campaign, PSG might be left surprised by their 'level' all over again.

Click here to read article