Liverpool have their work cut out to contain PSG’s free-flowing attack | OneFootball

“It’s 50/50,” said Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique, previewing his side’s upcoming clash against Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League. The numbers attest to that.

When PSG and Liverpool meet at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday, two of the best attacking sides in Europe will be pitted against each other. In Europe’s top five divisions, only Bayern Munich (72) and Barcelona (71) have scored more than PSG and Liverpool, both of whom have 66 goals. Those 66 goals have come in 28 Premier League games for Liverpool, whilst for PSG, they have come in just 24 Ligue 1 encounters.

Les Parisiens have carried that goal-scoring form into the Champions League in recent months. Luis Enrique’s side have won their last five in the competition, scoring 21 in the process and conceding just three. There is no question of a change of tack against Liverpool, who Luis Enrique described as “the best team in Europe”.

“It is not in our mentality to speculate, protect ourselves, stay defensive. We will attack and we will try to turn that in our favour,” said the PSG manager. He will be able to count on an attacking line full of individuals brimming with confidence.

PSG’s Hakimi leads the assist charts

Ousmane Dembélé was once again on the scoresheet in the 4-1 win over Lille OSC on Saturday. He now has 32 goal contributions in 33 games, including 26 goals. 18 of those goals have come since the turn of the year; no player in Europe’s top five divisions has better stats (all competitions).

Désire Doué scored too, taking his goal contributions this season to 17. Bradley Barcola has returned to form, getting a goal on Saturday, taking his goal contribution tally to 28. With Gonçalo Ramos (17 goal contributions in 24 games) also evidencing a return to form, not to mention Khvicha Kavaratskhelia, PSG’s attackers are in good shape heading into this one and further back, they can count on Achraf Hakimi, who has the most assists in this season’s Champions League, to be another source of chances. Liverpool may find them difficult to contain.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle