PSG – Liverpool

Are Arne Slot's days numbered? There are several who are starting to lean in that direction. The man who ten months ago celebrated league gold number 20 in Liverpool's proud history is now halfway out the door. Of course, it didn't help that they were thrashed by Manchester City in the FA Cup this weekend either. After a good start to the match, the Reds were outplayed, and it really looked like the players gave up too. Alarming signs from the big club. Will Slot survive a lesson in Paris? That's the question everyone is now asking. Because this is the starting point ahead of Wednesday's first quarter-final between the two giants in the French capital. The home team, the reigning champions, are big favorites, but then there's this with Liverpool and Europe. Miracles have happened before. The feeling is that it will take a miracle again if the Reds are to sail on, and not least, if they are to avoid defeat on away ground.

PSG – Powerful, but not as dominant as last year

Enrique's team suddenly became the benchmark in European top football. For a long time, PSG was a team consisting of individual candidates of high caliber, but they were not a well-oiled machine. Then they were cleaned up. Out went one star after another, and who would have thought that getting rid of Neymar, Messi and Mbappe would take the team several steps forward. That can be the case sometimes, though. You look blindly at names and indisputable talent, and forget a little that the balance in the team is on a wild road. What we saw in last year's edition was a team that knew exactly how to seize the opportunity. Huge wing-backs, a trio in the middle that went beyond most, and talent in the running line at the front that seemingly got you on the wrong foot no matter which foot you put on the ground. PSG mistreated Inter in the final.

This year they are still good, but perhaps not as sharp as last year. Donnarumma now plays for Manchester City, while the trio in the middle has barely had time to play together. A lot of injuries, and some wear and tear, have meant that the supposedly best line-up has rarely been able to shine at the same time. Towards the matches against Liverpool, Barcola and Ruiz have been reported unavailable. They will be missed, certainly, but PSG has the depth. Doue will take over up front, while Zaire-Emery will probably take his place next to Neves and the elegant Vitinha. PSG are doing well.

There have been a few mistakes in the domestic league, not as dominant, and including a loss at home in this year's Champions League against a well-performing Bayern. The total is still more than strong enough. PSG are favorites on Wednesday, and they probably want a solid starting point before the return match at Anfield. When these two met last year at this time, Liverpool won in Paris 1-0 after a late goal by Elliot. An unparalleled robbery. This year, the Reds are missing Alisson in the cage, and it is questionable whether PSG can't get good working conditions under the floodlights this evening.

Liverpool – Not much like the reigning champions from England

It's strange. Little things can change big plans. Details change course, and before you know it you're far out in the open. Liverpool are there now. Apparently without any particular idea of ​​how to find their way back to safe haven. The reigning champions are lagging behind in the Premier League, knocked out of domestic cups, and with that only have the Champions League left to save their lives. It's not fitting that the champions from France are the next obstacle. Here Slot has to cough up a rare motivational speech.

Because it stinks all over the pitch. You miss Trent's contributions up the right side, and all his precise passes to Salah. The latter has not found his place in this year's team, and his form has been completely absent. The guarantor of the good times is a disgrace to himself. On the opposite wing, it is Gakpo who has had a bad day. Gakpo was considered Diaz's cover last year - for several reasons. Diaz is a better player, has greater capacity, a greater presence, and attracts far more attention from opponents. Together with Jota, the Colombian is sorely missed in the offensive ranks. Liverpool were unable to replace him, and thus they are no longer the attacking threat that has been their trademark for a number of years.

Mac Allister is another one that you can only see the outlines of. Both the Argentine and the central defense are struggling this year compared to last year. A central line that acts uncertainly does not create good working conditions for the rest. If you add the increasing injury interruptions to Alisson, the picture is complete. They are a bad football team, and there is a lot that needs to be adjusted ahead of a new season. Whether Slot will get that job is highly doubtful, as a certain Spanish midfielder is available on the market.

Heading into the match, the injuries are mainly Alisson and a couple of alternatives at the back. Isak is in light training, and may have a role in the return leg.

Conclusion – PSG does not want a repeat of last year

Because that match is hard to see happening again this year. Liverpool were hanging on the ropes, and the home team missed chances left and right. They topped the whole thing by stealing the win just before the end. Now the tables were turned in the return leg, and PSG eventually advanced on penalties. The fear for the English is that this will be decided long before a penalty shootout this year.

Liverpool must try to gather themselves. The team must appear more compact, and the different parts of the team must go up several notches in terms of harmony. The attack must appear as a real threat, which they only managed in the first half hour against City at the weekend. Furthermore, the legs must be moved faster in the middle, and the spaces must be closed. The leaders in the back rows must weed out personal mistakes, and unnecessary penalties cannot be given away. And by all means, if you get a penalty kick in your own favor, the ball must be buried in the net. Salah can't be a fool here anymore. Even if all this were to work, PSG would soon be too good.

For the home team, there are some monsters at home. The ball moves fast, and the threats are many. Not only from the offensive cards, but also the aforementioned Vitinha and the full-backs are deadly. The total is a team that will quickly make it all the way to the final this year too, if Bayern don't put their foot down on that very dream. As for the quarter-finals against Liverpool, they should win at home, as they know what Anfield can be capable of in a return match. If PSG wins with solid numbers, this battle could be over before it has even begun. We keep the French as clear favorites, and then the excitement will be which version of Liverpool will emerge. The players may be good enough, but as of now the team is not.

Europe at 21:00: PSG - Liverpool: PSG to win (1.77)

Alternative game

Europe at 21:00: PSG - Liverpool: PSG to win - 1.5 goals (2.90)

Europe at 21:00: PSG - Liverpool: Over 9.5 corners (1.75)