PSG Face Liverpool in Blockbuster Champions League Quarterfinal: Key Battles, Bold Predictions, and Expected Lineups

Liverpool enter their Champions League quarterfinal clash against defending champions Paris Saint-Germain as the underdogs, with the opening leg set to take place in the French capital on Wednesday evening.

The two sides previously met in the round of 16 last season, with an underdog PSG eliminating the runaway Premier League leaders via a penalty shootout despite falling short on their own turf.

Since that heartbreaking shootout exit, Liverpool have won only half of their 58 matches across all competitions, compared to a 74.4% win rate across the 43 games Arne Slot had overseen prior to that point. PSG, meanwhile, went on to lift their first-ever Champions League trophy shortly after, delivering one of the greatest final performances in history with a stunning 5–0 demolition of Inter in Munich.

We've analyzed Luis Enrique's squad through the lens of their outstanding 2024–25 campaign, and while PSG have yet to consistently replicate last season's peak form, there have been worrying signals over the past month for the rest of the continent.

Chelsea were swept aside 8–2 on aggregate in the round of 16 by the Parisians, and many Liverpool fans, despite their club's rich history in this tournament, are concerned they could suffer a similar fate over the coming week.

PSG vs. Liverpool Score Prediction

Parisians Cruise to Home Victory

Liverpool's narrow 1–0 victory at the Parc des Princes last season was far from a blueprint they can replicate, and Slot's men head into Wednesday's first leg on the back of a heavy 4–0 loss to Manchester City in the FA Cup quarterfinals.

The Reds have been consistently below par this season, and it comes as little surprise that the reigning champions are strong favorites to advance from this tie and face either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich for a place in the final.

Prediction: PSG 3–1 Liverpool

PSG Predicted Lineup vs. Liverpool

Bradley Barcola was instrumental in PSG's dismantling of Chelsea in the round of 16. However, the winger sustained ankle ligament damage during the second-leg victory at Stamford Bridge and had been anticipated to miss both legs against Liverpool.

Nevertheless, the French international has bounced back faster than anticipated, rejoining training ahead of Wednesday's fixture. He could feature in some capacity, though Enrique has noted that Barcola is still "lacking a little confidence" following his injury layoff.

Midfielder Fabián Ruiz has been sidelined for a prolonged spell with a knee problem and will not be fit for the first leg. However, Enrique offered an encouraging update on the Spaniard's rehabilitation, suggesting Fabián could have a chance of appearing at Anfield next week.

Senny Mayulu is the only other fitness concern for the home side. The scorer of PSG's fifth goal in last season's Champions League final is a doubt due to a calf problem.

PSG predicted lineup vs. Liverpool (4-3-3): Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Vitinha, Neves, Zaïre-Emery; Doué, Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia.

Liverpool Predicted Lineup vs. PSG

Mohamed Salah shook off a knock to start at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, but saw his penalty saved with Liverpool already trailing 4–0.

Slot has found some success adjusting his approach and deploying the Egyptian in a more advanced role, and he is expected to link up with Hugo Ekitiké in Paris.

Alexander Isak could also be in line to make his first appearance of 2026, having resumed training last week. The striker has been absent since Christmas with a broken leg.

Jeremie Frimpong and Federico Chiesa's substitute appearances at the weekend indicate they have overcome their respective fitness concerns, though Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley, and Wataru Endo remain unavailable for the away side.

Liverpool predicted lineup vs. PSG (4-2-2-2): Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Salah, Ekitiké.

What Time Does PSG vs. Liverpool Kick Off?

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