Reds don’t fear PSG Champions League test, says Slot

Arne Slot says Liverpool have nothing to fear at the Parc des Princes as he prepares his Premier League title favourites for a blockbuster Champions League clash against runaway Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

On Wednesday, it will be PSG hosting Liverpool, Inter Milan visiting Feyenoord, Benfica taking on Barcelona, and Bayern Munich welcoming fellow German club Bayer Leverkusen.

Slot’s side take the next step in their bid for a first Champions League crown since 2019 when they face PSG in the last-16 first leg on Wednesday.

The six-time European champions lost on both their previous visits to PSG, in 1997 and 2018.

But Liverpool have been beaten just four times in all competitions this season and only once in the Champions League -- against PSV Eindhoven in their final league-phase game, when they had already qualified for the last 16.

The Reds finished first in the league phase with seven wins from eight games, including a 2-0 success against holders Real Madrid, and have been equally dominant on the domestic stage.

Inspired by the sublime form of Egypt forward Mohamed Salah, Slot’s men are 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League as they close in on a record-equalling 20th English title.

Liverpool can also win the first trophy of the Slot era when they face Newcastle in the League Cup final at Wembley on March 16.

With 20 victories, the Reds have won more league games than any team in Europe’s top five leagues so far this season.

After a recent wobble, Liverpool got back on track with a pair of 2-0 wins against Manchester City and Newcastle that took them a giant step closer to Premier League glory.

They also benefited from a weekend off to rest before the PSG tie due to their early exit from the FA Cup.

No wonder Slot made it clear Liverpool have no reason to feel any trepidation about their trip to Paris.

“Do we fear PSG? We don’t fear anybody. But I’m impressed by their quality, they are on an upwards curve a bit similar to ours at the moment,” he said.

“I don’t think the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, Real Madrid fear opponents.

“But we definitely respect them and there’s a reason for that. They won so many games in a row and they have so many quality players.”

Luis Enrique’s team have been less formidable in the Champions League, where they were forced into the play-off round after defeats against Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich left them in 15th place.

With the second leg at Anfield on March 11, Liverpool could be tempted to take a cautious approach in Paris before feeding off the frenzied atmosphere created by their fans on European nights.

Benfica face Barca: Barcelona face Benfica on Wednesday in a Champions League last 16 first leg clash with their status as one of Europe’s elite sides restored, midfielder Pedri Gonzalez playing a key role in their revival.

In the group stage they hammered Bayern Munich 4-1 and beat Dortmund 3-2 as Flick’s side flexed their muscles.

Pedri’s quality and consistency has underpinned Barcelona’s fine season to date, with the Catalans top of La Liga, in the Copa del Rey semi-finals and aiming for their first Champions League triumph since 2015.

“I can’t describe (Pedri, he’s) incredible,” said Flick last week.

After a superb breakthrough season in 2020-21 in which Pedri also shone for Spain at Euro 2020 and played 73 matches for club and country, injuries began to plague him.

Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso said keeping a cool head would be the secret to making his side’s recent dominance of Bayern Munich count in the Champions League last 16.

Agence France-Presse