Champions League football returns for the second year here at Anfield. Unlike last year, though, the group stage has a high-profile opponent, and not just one. Napoli poses a tough test on the horizon for Liverpool, but the group stages opens with reigning Ligue One champions PSG. Despite being a bit shorthanded, it will be a tough test for Liverpool with PSG's fearsome front line set to do battle with that of Liverpool's.
Team News:
The key injury concern for Liverpool is a fresh one. Roberto Firmino's eye injury is cause for concern as he was subbed off after receiving a nasty poke to the eye from Jan Vertonghen late in the second half of the match with Tottenham. Firmino took to Instagram to announce he's okay, much to the relief of the Liverpool faithful. The hope, then, is that he will be able to fully compete in the match against PSG, albeit, Jurgen Klopp has kept his cards very close to his vest. The Brazilian did not train today (Monday) ahead of the match and Klopp said in his press conference that if the game were today, he would indeed not start. Firmino is going to be key in the match as he leads the press on PSG's defenders along with his two wing-mates. If he is unable to start, it is likely that Daniel Sturridge would get his first start of the season. We also saw Naby Keita get a run out at the striker position in order to continue the press once Firmino was subbed off. Perhaps that is something Klopp will consider to throw the French champions off their game. We could also see Xherdan Shaqiri get his first Liverpool start and push Mo Salah into a more central role. There is certainly the fear that Firmino could miss out, but I think this is the sort of game that you risk your stars for. Even without training, if Firmino if physically able to (perhaps even with protective goggles) I would imagine he is risked then rested against Southampton and/or Chelsea in the League Cup.
Other than Firmino, and the more long-term absences we already know of (Dejan Lovren and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain) Liverpool have no other concerns to report. Adam Lallana was not a part of the match day squad against Tottenham, but with him being in training the assumption is that he is indeed fit and perhaps Klopp wanted to keep his options open with Fabinho available for selection to sub in. The greater concern is likely the freshness of Liverpool's regulars with just over 72 hours in between Liverpool's last game to the Champions League midweek clash. This is what Klopp trains his men for, though. Liverpool also have the depth to rotate and keep a more-or-less first team squad. This will be key especially in the Reds' upcoming stretch of games with plenty of vital matches coming up along with some other matches that will surely require rotation.
If Liverpool are in a solid moment in terms of player availability, PSG are a bit shaky. First, those they will have. Kylian Mbappe served his first game of three in a domestic suspension, so he did not take part in PSG's 4-0 victory on the weekend against Saint-Etienne. Likewise, Neymar was not risked by Thomas Tuchel on the weekend, despite his supposed solid feeling. The two attacking dynamos will be available Tuesday and will be a handful for the Reds.
Now, though, we have the misses. Gigi Buffon and Marco Verratti both have suspensions they must serve in European competition which will include this upcoming match. Verratti missing out will cause a lack of depth in a midfield that has had starting line-ups including center back Marquinhos and Lassana Diarra, who has had a roundabout career linking up in Paris following mutual termination of his contract at Al Jazira. Finally, Dani Alves and Layvin Kurzawa both are suffering from long-term injuries and will cause a lack in full back depth for Tuchel to choose from. Juan Bernat, the new signing from Bayern, and Thomas Meunier will likely be the full back duo charged with the vital role of slowing Mo Salah and Sadio Mane.
Projected Liverpool Line-Up: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, van Dijk, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Milner, Keita; Salah, Firmino, Mane
Projected PSG Line-Up: Areola; Meunier, Silva, Kimpembe, Bernat; Marquinhos, Rabiot; Neymar, Di Maria, Cavani, Mbappe
Previewing the Match:
The last time a Thomas Tuchel side ventured to Anfield on a European night, it was an unforgettable evening: a 4-3 comeback victory against Tuchel's Borussia Dortmund side in the Europa League. It was an outstanding Dortmund side, but this PSG side is that much better even. Liverpool's revamped defense are going to have a heck of a time against one of the very, very few attacking front three that can equal their own. It will be a battle of two sides that are surely going to be looking to do similar things to their own advantage. This is even down to a midfielder occasionally dropping deeper when in possession to help play move forward (James Milner does this plenty for Liverpool, Marquinhos, when starting in midfield with Adrien Rabiot as a double holding pair, does this as well). Who will get the better of these battles is yet to be seen.
First, for those unfamiliar, a brief profile about PSG under Tuchel. Tuchel can change formation, including to a back three, but has favored the 4-3-3, just like Liverpool, with a holding midfielder, two full backs that like to get forward, and a pair of wingers supporting a striker. Still, the rumored line-up is that Tuchel will turn to a 4-2-3-1, which will feature the aforementioned holding-mid pair. That striker is Edison Cavani, who leads a press with his strong work rate at top. Rabiot is at the heart of the midfield as evidenced by his 106 touches, 98 passes, and 93.9% passing accuracy (an absolutely eye-popping number). As a team, PSG are outstanding passers and when pressing they are able to close down gaps between their opponents' passing lanes with plenty of success. They are free-scoring, having scored at least three goals every single match this season, but can be scored upon with four league goals conceded in their five matches. In short, they really are quite similar in terms of tactical set-up to Liverpool, but it's not an identical side, and there will be key match-ups on the pitch for Liverpool (or PSG) to take advantage.
The biggest key is going to be full back play and exploiting gaps. PSG will push their full backs far forward. Look at this picture from an outstanding article by The Coaches Voice when discussing PSG. Thomas Meunier is practically another attacker for PSG while left back Stanley N'Soki (a youngster who could certainly get the start at Anfield) is pushing high forward as well. While the ability of the PSG full backs to get means Liverpool must be on high alert to them, it also means that the Liverpool attackers have to be ready to quickly start counters while those in charge of marking them are out of place. PSG's two likely center backs, Thiago Silva and Presnel Kimpembe, are supremely talented, I would mark out Silva and Meunier's side as one for Liverpool to massively attack. Silva is aging and at 33 is not as quick as earlier in his career. I'm looking for Sadio Mane and Naby Keita to either win the ball and progress forward in attack, or Mane to be released on the attack by Andy Robertson down the sideline or by Keita from the middle of the park.
Speaking of Robertson, let's address the PSG front three and what Liverpool's defense must do to slow them. The front four of Cavani, Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, and Angel Di Maria all consist of players who, like Liverpool's own front three, are supremely talented technically. Neymar will almost certainly drop into a position suited more for a number ten, if not even getting the start there in a different formation, and force even more central attention from the center backs. This will also add pressure on Gini Wijnaldum who will be tasking with making sure a centrally roaming Neymar does not get forward and provide another attacking outlet for the already dangerous fellow attackers. When/Assuming Neymar plays on the wing, it's going to be the young right side of the defense's job to slow him. Joe Gomez did brilliant against him in a back three with England's national team before his season ending injury last season. Trent Alexander-Arnold made Leroy Sane a non-factor in last season's Champions League. It's another tall ask for two young Englishmen who need to be up to task. Likewise, it's Andy Robertson's biggest test to date as he will stare down Mbappe on Tuesday. The key for both full backs will be getting back and staying in position. If Virgil van Dijk or Gomez have to cheat over on Mbappe or Neymar on the wing, that leaves the middle wide open for Cavani to run free into a one-on-one with Alisson.
The midfield battle is the final one I have not covered, and it could be most important. The projection is Tuchel turns to a two-man midfield, putting Neymar as a CAM and put Rabiot and Marquinhos together in deeper positions to cover the defense. That puts six strong behind the ball in defense and still allows a front four to counter attack with to try and find their own space behind the Liverpool full backs. Regardless of PSG's midfield set-up, it will be the Liverpool three that are going to be key in offering resistance from the attack of PSG. James Milner has been a beacon of consistency for Liverpool and with over 100 league appearances now for Liverpool, he certainly doesn't play like a 32-year-old. He's been one of the most underrated players in the Premier League and I'm very excited to see him against more of the world's finest. Gini Wijnaldum is another player who can be looked over but has been absolutely outstanding in red this season. As I noted, he will be essential in making sure Neymar does not have complete freedom and his forward movement is cut off. Naby Keita will need to be active as ever as he seeks to take the ball from the feet of the of his opposition. Liverpool's midfield has been a strong point of the side this season and perhaps even a bit of a surprise to fans, but the side's collective ability will be tested more than any other match this season to date.
Final Thoughts:
As most do, I too expect plenty of fireworks out of this match. Maybe not another 4-3 thriller like Tuchel's last Anfield experience, but I think this is a match between two sides that have very similar philosophies on how to play football. Anfield's first European night of the season should be a raucous affair, and I'm ruing the fact that I have class during the second half and will need to catch a replay on the Fox Sports Go website instead of watching live. Things are heating up in a big way for the Reds, and this is a big next step.
Score Prediction: Liverpool 2: PSG 2:
I think we'll see a tight affair and a pair of goals for either side. The Anfield atmosphere should be vital to spurring Liverpool on, but I don't know how much it will intimidate the visitors. Many sides say how they will not be intimidated and those are usually famous last words. That has not been the case out of the PSG camp. Still, it's a whole different story once their players step onto the pitch and the crowd is in full voice. In the end, these two sides at Liverpool's home are so tight that I'm going with a draw. I was spot on with my prediction for Liverpool against Tottenham, but I'd gladly be wrong if it meant Liverpool opened their Champions League campaign with three points.
Follow me on Twitter @RMAB_Ryan for more LFC coverage, including live Tweets during the matches, as well as AFC Ann Arbor and Michigan basketball coverage!
Team News:
The key injury concern for Liverpool is a fresh one. Roberto Firmino's eye injury is cause for concern as he was subbed off after receiving a nasty poke to the eye from Jan Vertonghen late in the second half of the match with Tottenham. Firmino took to Instagram to announce he's okay, much to the relief of the Liverpool faithful. The hope, then, is that he will be able to fully compete in the match against PSG, albeit, Jurgen Klopp has kept his cards very close to his vest. The Brazilian did not train today (Monday) ahead of the match and Klopp said in his press conference that if the game were today, he would indeed not start. Firmino is going to be key in the match as he leads the press on PSG's defenders along with his two wing-mates. If he is unable to start, it is likely that Daniel Sturridge would get his first start of the season. We also saw Naby Keita get a run out at the striker position in order to continue the press once Firmino was subbed off. Perhaps that is something Klopp will consider to throw the French champions off their game. We could also see Xherdan Shaqiri get his first Liverpool start and push Mo Salah into a more central role. There is certainly the fear that Firmino could miss out, but I think this is the sort of game that you risk your stars for. Even without training, if Firmino if physically able to (perhaps even with protective goggles) I would imagine he is risked then rested against Southampton and/or Chelsea in the League Cup.
Other than Firmino, and the more long-term absences we already know of (Dejan Lovren and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain) Liverpool have no other concerns to report. Adam Lallana was not a part of the match day squad against Tottenham, but with him being in training the assumption is that he is indeed fit and perhaps Klopp wanted to keep his options open with Fabinho available for selection to sub in. The greater concern is likely the freshness of Liverpool's regulars with just over 72 hours in between Liverpool's last game to the Champions League midweek clash. This is what Klopp trains his men for, though. Liverpool also have the depth to rotate and keep a more-or-less first team squad. This will be key especially in the Reds' upcoming stretch of games with plenty of vital matches coming up along with some other matches that will surely require rotation.
If Liverpool are in a solid moment in terms of player availability, PSG are a bit shaky. First, those they will have. Kylian Mbappe served his first game of three in a domestic suspension, so he did not take part in PSG's 4-0 victory on the weekend against Saint-Etienne. Likewise, Neymar was not risked by Thomas Tuchel on the weekend, despite his supposed solid feeling. The two attacking dynamos will be available Tuesday and will be a handful for the Reds.
Now, though, we have the misses. Gigi Buffon and Marco Verratti both have suspensions they must serve in European competition which will include this upcoming match. Verratti missing out will cause a lack of depth in a midfield that has had starting line-ups including center back Marquinhos and Lassana Diarra, who has had a roundabout career linking up in Paris following mutual termination of his contract at Al Jazira. Finally, Dani Alves and Layvin Kurzawa both are suffering from long-term injuries and will cause a lack in full back depth for Tuchel to choose from. Juan Bernat, the new signing from Bayern, and Thomas Meunier will likely be the full back duo charged with the vital role of slowing Mo Salah and Sadio Mane.
Projected Liverpool Line-Up: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, van Dijk, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Milner, Keita; Salah, Firmino, Mane
Projected PSG Line-Up: Areola; Meunier, Silva, Kimpembe, Bernat; Marquinhos, Rabiot; Neymar, Di Maria, Cavani, Mbappe
Previewing the Match:
The last time a Thomas Tuchel side ventured to Anfield on a European night, it was an unforgettable evening: a 4-3 comeback victory against Tuchel's Borussia Dortmund side in the Europa League. It was an outstanding Dortmund side, but this PSG side is that much better even. Liverpool's revamped defense are going to have a heck of a time against one of the very, very few attacking front three that can equal their own. It will be a battle of two sides that are surely going to be looking to do similar things to their own advantage. This is even down to a midfielder occasionally dropping deeper when in possession to help play move forward (James Milner does this plenty for Liverpool, Marquinhos, when starting in midfield with Adrien Rabiot as a double holding pair, does this as well). Who will get the better of these battles is yet to be seen.
First, for those unfamiliar, a brief profile about PSG under Tuchel. Tuchel can change formation, including to a back three, but has favored the 4-3-3, just like Liverpool, with a holding midfielder, two full backs that like to get forward, and a pair of wingers supporting a striker. Still, the rumored line-up is that Tuchel will turn to a 4-2-3-1, which will feature the aforementioned holding-mid pair. That striker is Edison Cavani, who leads a press with his strong work rate at top. Rabiot is at the heart of the midfield as evidenced by his 106 touches, 98 passes, and 93.9% passing accuracy (an absolutely eye-popping number). As a team, PSG are outstanding passers and when pressing they are able to close down gaps between their opponents' passing lanes with plenty of success. They are free-scoring, having scored at least three goals every single match this season, but can be scored upon with four league goals conceded in their five matches. In short, they really are quite similar in terms of tactical set-up to Liverpool, but it's not an identical side, and there will be key match-ups on the pitch for Liverpool (or PSG) to take advantage.
The biggest key is going to be full back play and exploiting gaps. PSG will push their full backs far forward. Look at this picture from an outstanding article by The Coaches Voice when discussing PSG. Thomas Meunier is practically another attacker for PSG while left back Stanley N'Soki (a youngster who could certainly get the start at Anfield) is pushing high forward as well. While the ability of the PSG full backs to get means Liverpool must be on high alert to them, it also means that the Liverpool attackers have to be ready to quickly start counters while those in charge of marking them are out of place. PSG's two likely center backs, Thiago Silva and Presnel Kimpembe, are supremely talented, I would mark out Silva and Meunier's side as one for Liverpool to massively attack. Silva is aging and at 33 is not as quick as earlier in his career. I'm looking for Sadio Mane and Naby Keita to either win the ball and progress forward in attack, or Mane to be released on the attack by Andy Robertson down the sideline or by Keita from the middle of the park.
Speaking of Robertson, let's address the PSG front three and what Liverpool's defense must do to slow them. The front four of Cavani, Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, and Angel Di Maria all consist of players who, like Liverpool's own front three, are supremely talented technically. Neymar will almost certainly drop into a position suited more for a number ten, if not even getting the start there in a different formation, and force even more central attention from the center backs. This will also add pressure on Gini Wijnaldum who will be tasking with making sure a centrally roaming Neymar does not get forward and provide another attacking outlet for the already dangerous fellow attackers. When/Assuming Neymar plays on the wing, it's going to be the young right side of the defense's job to slow him. Joe Gomez did brilliant against him in a back three with England's national team before his season ending injury last season. Trent Alexander-Arnold made Leroy Sane a non-factor in last season's Champions League. It's another tall ask for two young Englishmen who need to be up to task. Likewise, it's Andy Robertson's biggest test to date as he will stare down Mbappe on Tuesday. The key for both full backs will be getting back and staying in position. If Virgil van Dijk or Gomez have to cheat over on Mbappe or Neymar on the wing, that leaves the middle wide open for Cavani to run free into a one-on-one with Alisson.
The midfield battle is the final one I have not covered, and it could be most important. The projection is Tuchel turns to a two-man midfield, putting Neymar as a CAM and put Rabiot and Marquinhos together in deeper positions to cover the defense. That puts six strong behind the ball in defense and still allows a front four to counter attack with to try and find their own space behind the Liverpool full backs. Regardless of PSG's midfield set-up, it will be the Liverpool three that are going to be key in offering resistance from the attack of PSG. James Milner has been a beacon of consistency for Liverpool and with over 100 league appearances now for Liverpool, he certainly doesn't play like a 32-year-old. He's been one of the most underrated players in the Premier League and I'm very excited to see him against more of the world's finest. Gini Wijnaldum is another player who can be looked over but has been absolutely outstanding in red this season. As I noted, he will be essential in making sure Neymar does not have complete freedom and his forward movement is cut off. Naby Keita will need to be active as ever as he seeks to take the ball from the feet of the of his opposition. Liverpool's midfield has been a strong point of the side this season and perhaps even a bit of a surprise to fans, but the side's collective ability will be tested more than any other match this season to date.
Final Thoughts:
As most do, I too expect plenty of fireworks out of this match. Maybe not another 4-3 thriller like Tuchel's last Anfield experience, but I think this is a match between two sides that have very similar philosophies on how to play football. Anfield's first European night of the season should be a raucous affair, and I'm ruing the fact that I have class during the second half and will need to catch a replay on the Fox Sports Go website instead of watching live. Things are heating up in a big way for the Reds, and this is a big next step.
Score Prediction: Liverpool 2: PSG 2:
I think we'll see a tight affair and a pair of goals for either side. The Anfield atmosphere should be vital to spurring Liverpool on, but I don't know how much it will intimidate the visitors. Many sides say how they will not be intimidated and those are usually famous last words. That has not been the case out of the PSG camp. Still, it's a whole different story once their players step onto the pitch and the crowd is in full voice. In the end, these two sides at Liverpool's home are so tight that I'm going with a draw. I was spot on with my prediction for Liverpool against Tottenham, but I'd gladly be wrong if it meant Liverpool opened their Champions League campaign with three points.
Follow me on Twitter @RMAB_Ryan for more LFC coverage, including live Tweets during the matches, as well as AFC Ann Arbor and Michigan basketball coverage!
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