Paris Saint-Germain vs Liverpool Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League | Quarter-Final
by Alex Lawes ·
Updated
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Having faced off in the round of 16 last season, defending champions Paris Saint-Germain now take on seven-time winners Liverpool in the quarter-finals this time around.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / USA – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – HBO Max / USA – Paramount+
Paris Saint-Germain preview: Back at it
Luis Enrique and his Paris Saint-Germain side have been some way short of their best this season - and yet look good to just about retain the Ligue 1 title while also beginning to click into gear in this competition, too.
That is because this quarter-final follows an impressive performance from the Parisians as they hammered Chelsea by eight goals to two on aggregate in the round of 16, flexing their muscles against English opposition once again.
Liverpool preview: Under pressure Liverpool
The pressure Arne Slot intensified at the weekend as Liverpool succumbed to a 4-0 hammering at the hands of Manchester City in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, continuing an underwhelming campaign for the Reds.
They are in a real fight to secure a top five finish and UEFA Champions League qualification in the Premier League but did come from behind to hammer Galatasaray in the round of 16 of this competition a few weeks ago.
Paris Saint-Germain team news: Kvara, Doue, Dembele front three
Bradley Barcola has been in excellent form, pushing for a starting spot at the crunch end of this season but the France international winger sustained an ankle injury just before the March international break.
That means the front three that won PSG their treble last season is expected to start once again with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia alongside Desire Doue and Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Neves; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia
Unavailable: Barcola (Injured), Ndjantou (Injured)
Questionable: Mayulu (Injured), Ruiz (Injured)
Liverpool team news: Isak back but not fit
Club-record signing Alexander Isak has returned to training after a lengthy leg injury but the Sweden international striker, now pushing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad with the Swedes, is still likely to be very unlikely to feature here.
The key absentee for Liverpool remains first-choice goalkeeper Alisson, who is sidelined alongside the likes of right-back Conor Bradley and defensive midfielder Wataru Endo.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitike
Unavailable: Alisson (Injured), Leoni (Injured), Bradley (Injured), Endo (Injured), Bajcetic (Injured)
Questionable: Isak (Fitness)
Paris Saint-Germain vs Liverpool prediction
Liverpool, still the reigning English champions, were only beaten on penalties by the impressive PSG last year, having drawn the first-leg at the Parc des Princes. The teams appear very different this time around, though, with PSG emerging as the force in European football, while Liverpool regress. As a result, backing a home win remains the best bet for this first-leg in the French capital city.
Paris Saint-Germain vs Liverpool Tip: Paris Saint-Germain to win
