Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool are dominating their domestic leagues, but their Champions League quarter-final spot is at stake. Get ready for the clash at the Parc des Princes with our PSG vs Liverpool prediction and preview.
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PSG vs Liverpool: Preview
PSG and Liverpool are both on course for league titles in Ligue 1 and the Premier League, respectively.
PSG extended their dominance with a commanding 4-1 victory over Lille on Saturday, opening up a 13-point lead at the Ligue 1 summit. Meanwhile, Liverpool, despite having the weekend off following their unexpected FA Cup exit to Plymouth Argyle last month, remain firmly in control at the top of English football, also enjoying a 13-point cushion in the Premier League.
This clash will feature a showdown between two of Europe’s most prolific attackers this season.
Mohamed Salah has firmly placed himself in the Ballon d’Or conversation with a phenomenal campaign. While Liverpool thrive under Arne Slot, Salah remains their talisman, having already racked up an astonishing 52 goal contributions (30 goals, 22 assists) across all competitions.
In the Champions League knockout stages, Salah has been directly involved in 20 goals across 30 appearances (12 goals, eight assists), making him the most influential African player in the competition’s history—surpassing legends Samuel Eto’o and Didier Drogba by one.
At PSG, Ousmane Dembélé has stepped up to fill the void left by Kylian Mbappé in their attack.
The former Barcelona winger is finally delivering on his immense potential, having scored 26 goals across all competitions while also providing six assists.
Salah has exceeded his expected goals (xG) tally of 26.0 by netting four more than anticipated, but Dembélé has been even more clinical. With an xG of 19.5, he has outperformed expectations by 6.5, highlighting his exceptional finishing ability. Whether cutting in from the right or operating centrally, he has thrived.
Since the start of 2025, Dembélé has been on fire, averaging 1.87 goals and 1.97 goal contributions per 90 minutes, with an astonishing strike rate of a goal every 48 minutes.
Both teams boast much more than just their star attackers, with key players making a significant impact across the pitch.
Among full-backs with 300+ minutes in the Champions League this season, Liverpool’s Andy Robertson (16.6) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (13.9) lead the way in line-breaking passes per 90 minutes. Meanwhile, PSG’s Achraf Hakimi has been a creative force under pressure, leading all defenders with 12 chances created and four assists while being closely marked—more than any other player in the competition.
PSG captain Marquinhos is also set for a milestone, as he could make his 100th Champions League start. He would become just the fourth Brazilian to reach this landmark—joining Roberto Carlos (120), Dani Alves (108), and Thiago Silva (100)—and the first to achieve it for a French club.
Luis Enrique’s side had to navigate the play-offs to reach the last 16, but they are now on a five-game Champions League winning streak, netting 21 goals while conceding just three. The last time they won six consecutive games in the tournament was in 1994-95 under Luis Fernandez.
Liverpool, by contrast, topped the league phase but have lost their last three Champions League knockout matches. However, all three defeats came against Real Madrid (2021-22 final and both legs of the 2022-23 last 16). Since 2020-21, four of their five knockout-stage losses have been at the hands of Los Blancos, with Inter Milan (March 2022) being the only other team to beat them in that period.
PSG vs Liverpool: Head-to-Head
This will be only the third Champions League encounter between Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain.
Their previous meetings came in the 2018-19 group stage, where Liverpool secured a 3-2 victory at Anfield but fell 2-1 in Paris, leaving their head-to-head record evenly balanced.
This marks the first time the two sides will clash in the knockout stages of a major European tournament since the 1996-97 Cup Winners’ Cup semi-final, where PSG advanced to the final with a 3-2 aggregate win.
Liverpool have struggled on French soil in recent years, failing to win any of their last five away games against French opposition in Europe (D2 L3). Their last victory in France came in September 2008, when they defeated Marseille 2-1 in the Champions League.
However, Reds boss Arne Slot has a strong record against French clubs in European competitions, winning two of his three encounters and drawing the other. His most recent success was a 2-1 victory over Lille in this season’s league phase.
PSG vs Liverpool: Team News and Predicted Lineup
PSG – Team News
PSG received a major boost last week as teenage midfield sensation Warren Zaïre-Emery returned to training after recovering from an ankle injury that had sidelined him since late January. He made his comeback off the bench during Saturday’s 4-1 victory over Lille in Ligue 1.
Luis Enrique was able to rotate his squad between last week’s 7-0 thrashing of fourth-tier side Stade Briochin in the Coupe de France quarter-finals and the win against Lille, with PSG currently enjoying an otherwise clean bill of health.
PSG – Predicted Lineup (4-3-3)
- Goalkeper – Donnarumma
- Defenders – Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes
- Midfielders – Vitinha, Fabian, Neves
- Forwards – Kvaratskhelia, Dembele, Barcola
Liverpool – Team News
Liverpool will make a late call on Cody Gakpo’s fitness ahead of their crucial Champions League last-16 first-leg clash against Paris Saint-Germain tonight.
The Dutch forward did not participate in Tuesday’s open training session, despite recently returning from a two-game absence after picking up a knock in the Merseyside derby. He made substitute appearances against both Manchester City and Newcastle but remains a doubt.
Gakpo was included in Liverpool’s 24-man traveling squad to Paris, though manager Arne Slot admitted his availability remains uncertain.
“He was close to being ready, but unfortunately, he had to block a shot yesterday and felt some pain again,” Slot revealed during Tuesday’s pre-match press conference. “We brought him along to assess his condition tomorrow, but it’s a tight call.”
If Gakpo is unavailable, Diogo Jota could lead the line for Liverpool, with Luis Díaz operating on the wing.
Darwin Núñez is another attacking option, while Arne Slot has occasionally deployed midfielder Curtis Jones in a more advanced role in challenging away fixtures.
Liverpool will also be without defenders Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez for the clash in Paris.
Bradley is set to miss several weeks due to a hamstring injury, while Gomez faces at least two months on the sidelines after undergoing surgery for a thigh issue.
Adding to Slot’s concerns is the risk of suspension for Ibrahima Konaté, Alexis Mac Allister, Andy Robertson, and Harvey Elliott, all of whom are just one yellow card away from an automatic one-game ban.
Although they wouldn’t have been in contention for this fixture, Liverpool are also missing Tyler Morton due to injury, while youngster Amara Nallo is suspended.
Liverpool – Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)
- Goalkeper – Alisson
- Defenders – Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson
- Midfielders – Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai
- Forwards – Salah, Diaz, Jota
PSG vs Liverpool: Prediction
With thrilling clashes like Real Madrid vs. Atletico and Bayern Munich vs. Bayer Leverkusen on the horizon, this showdown between the domestic frontrunners of France and England stands out as the marquee tie of the last 16.
Both PSG and Liverpool are in electrifying form, scoring freely and pushing for a treble-winning season. While PSG are on course for a fourth consecutive Ligue 1 title and have already secured the domestic Super Cup, Liverpool’s Premier League charge is complemented by strong domestic cup campaigns.
Translating that dominance onto the European stage remains the ultimate goal. Six-time winners Liverpool haven’t progressed beyond this stage since their 2021/22 final defeat to Real Madrid, while PSG are still chasing their first-ever Champions League triumph after last season’s semi-final heartbreak against Borussia Dortmund.
Despite some early struggles in this year’s tournament, PSG appear to have found their rhythm. However, we predict a tightly contested draw in Paris, leaving Liverpool in pole position to finish the job at Anfield next week.
Prediction: PSG 1-1 Liverpool
When and Where to Watch PSG vs Liverpool Match? Broadcast and Streaming Details
The UEFA Champions League 2024-25 Round of 16 match between PSG and Liverpool will take place at Parc des Princes in Paris, France. The match is set for March 6 at 1:30 am IST. It will be broadcast live on the Sony Network and can be streamed online via Sony LIV.
Read More: FA Cup Quarter-finals 2024/25: Bournemouth Set for Man City Test, Preston Welcome Aston Villa
FAQs
When is the PSG vs. Liverpool Champions League last-16 match?
The first-leg clash between PSG and Liverpool takes place tonight in Paris.
How have Salah and Dembélé performed this season?
Mohamed Salah has registered 52 goal contributions (30 goals, 22 assists) in all competitions, while Ousmane Dembélé has netted 26 goals with six assists for PSG.
What is Liverpool’s recent record against French teams in Europe?
Liverpool have not won any of their last five away matches against French clubs, with their last victory coming against Marseille in 2008.
Which key players could miss the match?
Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo faces a late fitness test, while Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez are ruled out. PSG, however, have received a boost with Warren Zaïre-Emery returning from injury.
Who has the edge in this Champions League tie?
While PSG have recovered from their early struggles, Liverpool’s form makes them slight favorites, especially with the second leg set to be played at Anfield.
