Paris Saint-Germain host Liverpool FC on Wednesday in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie, with the French champions widely seen as favourites following contrasting fortunes for both clubs over the past year.
When the two sides last met in the competition a year ago, Liverpool were pushing toward the Premier League title and were described as “an almost perfect team” by PSG coach Luis Enrique. Since then, however, the momentum has shifted significantly in PSG’s favour.
PSG’s penalty shoot-out victory over Liverpool in last season’s round of 16 proved pivotal in their eventual run to a first-ever Champions League title. The Parisians overturned a first-leg home defeat before holding their nerve at Anfield to progress.
Liverpool’s campaign has since lost direction. After doing enough to secure the Premier League title last season, manager Arne Slot has endured a difficult follow-up year. The team arrive in Paris after a heavy 4–0 FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Manchester City and have won just one of their last five matches in all competitions.
Captain Virgil van Dijk admitted the team face a major challenge but insisted they must respond strongly. He said Liverpool have a responsibility to their supporters and must produce something special across the decisive stretch of fixtures surrounding the PSG tie.
Currently fifth in the Premier League and with 15 defeats this season, Liverpool’s priority now appears to be securing qualification for next season’s Champions League rather than mounting another deep run in this year’s competition.
PSG, by contrast, look to be peaking at the right moment despite earlier injury concerns. A 3–1 victory over Toulouse FC extended their lead at the top of Ligue 1, helped by a standout performance from Ousmane Dembélé. The club’s domestic league also agreed to postpone a key fixture against RC Lens to allow PSG focus fully on the European tie.
Dembélé is expected to play a central role again, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia impressed in the previous round as PSG eliminated Chelsea FC 8–2 on aggregate. The Paris side have now become familiar opponents for English clubs, with Wednesday’s match marking their 14th meeting with Premier League opposition since January 2025.
One concern for PSG remains in goal following the departure of Gianluigi Donnarumma to Manchester City. Replacement Lucas Chevalier has lost his starting place to Matvey Safonov, who made costly errors in a recent league outing.
Liverpool’s hopes may rest heavily on striker Hugo Ekitike, their top scorer this season with 17 goals. The 23-year-old returns to face his former club after struggling for opportunities during his spell in Paris alongside stars such as Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi and Neymar.
PSG forward Dembélé acknowledged the threat posed by his France teammate, saying the hosts are hopeful Ekitike’s strong form does not continue against them as both sides battle for a place in the semi-finals.
