Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique is confident that the winner of Tuesday’s Champions League last-16 clash against Liverpool will go on to reach the final in Munich.
PSG travel to Anfield needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg in Paris, where they dominated possession but were repeatedly denied by a stunning performance from Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker. Despite the setback, Enrique remains convinced that his side can prevail and believes the victor of this tie will be a strong contender for the final on 31 May.
“Even though we’re trailing from the first leg, we will be playing our own game from the outset. Regardless of the result in Paris, we wouldn’t do anything different,” Enrique told reporters on Monday.
“Our only option is to go out and win, and that is what is driving us. I don’t think Arne Slot has many doubts about our starting line-up, just as I have my own ideas about his. I won’t reveal our approach, but we will see two of the best teams in Europe, both capable of making the final, and I believe whoever advances will go all the way.”
The Ligue 1 leaders must contend with the notoriously intense atmosphere at Anfield, a stadium where Liverpool fans have created many famous European nights. However, Enrique is confident his players will thrive under the pressure.
“I am pretty convinced that absolutely every single one of my players will want to play,” he said. “We know what Liverpool represents, with its historic stadium and incredible legacy. This is a huge source of motivation, and we want to prove we are capable of delivering a top performance.”
While acknowledging the emotional weight of the fixture, Enrique stressed the importance of controlling those emotions.
“These games are difficult to prepare for. It’s not easy to be at 100 per cent, but you also don’t want to be at 105 or 110 per cent because you could get carried away. Managing emotions in the best way possible is crucial.”
PSG have lost on both previous visits to Anfield, suffering defeats in 1997 and 2018, but Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia remains unfazed by the challenge ahead.
“When you play at Anfield against Liverpool, you don’t need extra motivation—it’s already inside you,” Kvaratskhelia said. “The game is 50-50. We have a strong mentality in this team, and we are coming here to win.”
With their sights set on Champions League glory, PSG know this match will be one of the defining moments of their season.