Liverpool have been firing on all cylinders this 2024-25 season, but the Reds didn’t play this weekend. As a result, they’ll head into their first-leg clash against Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes either well-rested or potentially a bit rusty.

Before fully shifting their focus to the first leg, Liverpool had one more Premier League match during the week. They’re coming off a 2-0 victory over Newcastle United on Wednesday night at Anfield, so they’ll arrive in Paris with positive momentum.
PSG, meanwhile, are also coming off a strong 4-1 win over LOSC Lille, with all four goals coming in the first half.

How can PSG advance past Liverpool?

With the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 just around the corner, Football Transfers’ Robin Bairner outlined in his latest column for PSG Extra Time the three key points the Parisians need to focus on over the 180 minutes to get past Liverpool.
“Mental strength: PSG cannot afford to give away cheap goals, and if and when they do concede, there must be a capacity to bounce back,” Bairner wrote.
“Exploit the full-backs: Liverpool is solid throughout their side, but both wide defensive areas can be exposed. The offensive strength of the Parc des Princes side is here, which makes this particularly important.
“Be brave and beat the press: If PSG can break the Liverpool lines, it will allow their attackers room to thrive. Neves will be the key figure in midfield for this task due to his willingness to take possession and his quality when he does.

Accomplish these tasks, and PSG can be in the hat for the quarter-finals—and if that is the case, they stand as strong a chance of winning the Champions League as anyone.”
It will be interesting to see if the capital club can hit these points, but if their current form shows anything, they have a puncher’s chance.