Liverpool VS Paris Saint Germain (PSG)

Team Analysis Liverpool Form & Context: Struggling. Lost 0-2 in Paris, then lost 0-4 to Man City in FA Cup and 1-2 to Brighton in PL. Only 1 win in last 5 all comps. PL title defense “fell away months ago”. At Anfield they’re better: 15/15 home wins in LaLiga is Barca, but for Liverpool – scored in all 5 UCL home games this season. Tactics: Arne Slot uses 4-2-3-1. 1st leg they were “incredibly defensive” – 3 shots, 0 on target vs PSG’s 17 shots, 7 on target. Need goals, so expect more attack at Anfield is 1.96, 2nd highest in PL. High line could get exposed by PSG pace. Team News: Out: Alisson (unspecified, out rest of month), Conor Bradley (knee), Giovanni Leoni (ACL), Wataru Endo (ankle) – all out for season. Alisson, Endo, Bajcetic, Leoni, Bradley confirmed injured. Doubt: Alexander Isak (leg break in Dec) may be in squad. Jeremie Frimpong back from injury. Salah had penalty saved vs City but will start. Giorgi Mamardashvili deputises in goal. Key Players: Mohamed Salah – “chief threat”, scored vs Fulham last game. Hugo Ekitiké leading line. Dominik Szoboszlai may move right to handle Nuno Mendes. Predicted XI: Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Konaté, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitiké Paris Saint-Germain Form & Context: Holders, flying. Won last 5 all comps. Beat Chelsea 8-2 agg in R16. Unbeaten in last 7 UCL knockout games. Only 1 loss in 2026. Ligue 1 champions, had weekend off after Lens game postponed – fresher legs. Tactics: Luis Enrique’s 4-3-3, possession + transitions. Dominated 1st leg with 74% possession. “Attacking firepower” back. Scored 2+ in all 5 UCL knockout games this season. Team News: Out: Bradley Barcola (ankle), Fabian Ruiz (knee), Quentin Ndjantou. Vitinha, Joao Neves, Nuno Mendes rested vs Toulouse and will start. Dembele fit – scored brace vs Toulouse. Senny Mayulu back training. Key Players: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – 8G 4A in 12 UCL games, scored in last 4, scored PSG’s 2nd in 1st leg. Ousmane Dembélé – “main threat” with Barcola out, 2 UCL goals, scores vs English clubs. Vitinha, Zaire-Emery controlling midfield. Predicted XI: Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Neves; Doué, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia. H2H & History Only 3 UCL meetings: 2018-19 group stage 3-2 Liverpool at home, 2-1 PSG away. Last season PSG beat Liverpool on penalties in round 16. Liverpool haven’t won any of last 5 away games vs French sides. PSG win 40.5% of 10k sims, Liverpool 34.4%, Draw 25.1%. But Liverpool 58.3% to progress overall per model.