PSG v Liverpool: Three key battles

The red ones beat The Parisians 3-2 at Anfield in September and the win in France could allow Jürgen Klopp forwards to qualify for the last 16 games with a game to spare.

Liverpool is tied with Group C leader Napoli with six points, with PSG one point ahead of his opponent, Red Star Belgrade, still having a chance to qualify for four points in two days of play. the end.

If Klopp's team wins in Paris and Red Star does not beat Naples in Italy, Liverpool is eliminated. PSG, meanwhile, will be unable to advance if he loses at home and Napoli wins.

It's a big game in the French capital. And we have selected three battles of key players that could help us decide.

Marco Verratti against Georginio Wijnaldum

PSG boss Thomas Tuchel is expected to reshuffle the lost team at Anfield. One of the biggest changes will be the return of the Italian international Marco Verratti, suspended for the clashes of September.

The midfielder from the depths is the heartbeat of the French team, stands guard in front of his defense and launches attacks with his quality on the ball.

Known for his defeat and his ability to unlock an opposing defense, he is the pitcher of the devastating PSG defender: Angel di Maria, Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Edinson Cavani.

In midfield, the Dutch international Liverpool, Georginio Wijnaldum, should play against him. He played every minute of the Champions League season.

Having played a role of playmaker in previous seasons, this term Wijnaldum has mainly played in a role of No. 6 deeper, more defensive and traditional.

He has become a stalwart of Liverpool's rapidly changing midfield and his versatility allows the Reds to vary tactics during a match: he could appear at the front of the defender, intercepting Verratti's pbades. and reading his pbades forward, or further down the field testing the defensive qualities of PSG. .

Thiago Silva v Mohamed Salah

PSG captain Thiago Silva said in his program notes for the match that the quality of both teams was such that the result could be decided "on the little details".

Among these details, we can mention the pbadage of Tuchel from a rear four back to three back in a 3-4-3 system, which allowed the team to better control the possession of the ball and of the ball. To be stronger in defense since the defeat against Liverpool.

Brazilian central back Silva played a pivotal role in the success of this change and the 34-year-old was also revitalized – thus regaining the kind of form that had already seen him announced as the only one. one of the best advocates in Europe.

Another "little detail" could be Mohamed Salah's move to a more central and advanced position, a decision that could put CFL # 11 in direct competition with Silva.

Salah (No. 11) average position against Watford and Fulham

Positioned mainly on the right flank during the first clash, Salah was generally the most advanced striker of the Reds in more recent matches. Of his nine goals this season, six have been registered in his last seven appearances.

This race includes opening goals that have changed Liverpool's last two games – a 3-0 win over Watford and a 2-0 win against Fulham – when it was deployed as the point of contention. attack, as can be seen in the middle position thermal maps above.

Edinson Cavani against Virgil van Dijk

The rear center Virgil van Dijk is in a compelling form. In Liverpool's last match, the aforementioned victory at Watford, the defender literally won everything that had happened to him, namely 11 of his duels.

But the chic defenseman also featured the finest side of Vicarage Road, leading the team in total pbades and pbades while the Reds had 64% possession of the ball.

No wonder the 27-year-old badured was recently named captain of the Netherlands – who beat PSG's French club Mbappe and Presnel Kimpembe – at the international break – and has already handed the armband to the club at four. opportunities this season.

The Dutchman of 6 "4" played every minute of a series of 13 games without defeat in the Premier League, which allowed the team to concede a five-goal club record.

However, in Cavani PSG, he will face a formidable opponent at the Parc des Princes.

The Uruguay striker is France's all-time leading goal scorer with 176 goals – ahead of Zlatan Ibrahimovic – and already has 10 goals this season.

It was his daring turn and his volley that ensured PSG's 1-0 win over Toulouse on Saturday.

Strong in the air, with a long-range vicious shot, it's actually his subtle movement that allows him to showcase his trademark trait: the finish to the touch.

It will surely be an intriguing battle.