PSG predicted XI v Liverpool: Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé to lead the line, Bradley Barcola out

PSG predicted XI v Liverpool: Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé to lead the line, Bradley Barcola out

PSG host Liverpool tonight at Paris’ Parc des Princes for the Champions League quarter-finals first leg for a rematch of last season’s pulsating RO16 tie. Les Parisiens emerge as favourites considering their status as title holders and the Reds’ dip in form compared to last season.

Luis Enrique won’t rely on a fully fit squad tonight as Spain international midfielder Fabian Ruiz and France winger Bradley Barcola are out of action, but the Spaniard is expected to name a strong team to face Arne Slot’s Premier League champions. Matvey Safonov retains his spot between the PSG sticks in front of an established defense with Marquinhos and Willian Pacho marshalling the back and Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes deployed on the flanks.

In the absence of Ruiz, Warren Zaïre-Emery fills in as a right-sided midfielder alongside PSG’s Portuguese controllers: Vitinha and João Neves. Up front, Khvicha Kvaratskehlia will roam in his favourite spot on the left wing whereas Désiré Doué will try to haunt Liverpool again. The Rennes Academy graduate notably scored the winning penalty in last season’s shoot-out. Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé will lead the line.

PSG likely line-up v Liverpool

Matvey Safonov; Nuno Mendes, Willian Pacho, Marquinhos, Achraf Hakimi; João Neves, Vitinha, Warren Zaire-Emery; Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Bastien Cheval