Liverpool not afraid of PSG challenge, says Slot

Arne Slot insists Liverpool have nothing to fear at the Parc des Princes as his Premier League title favourites prepare for a high-stakes Champions League clash against Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain.

The Reds, aiming for their first Champions League title since 2019, face PSG in the first leg of their last-16 tie on Wednesday, 5 march. Despite losing on both previous visits to the French capital in 1997 and 2018, Liverpool arrive in Paris brimming with confidence.

Slot's side have been beaten just four times in all competitions this season, with only one of those losses coming in the Champions League—against PSV Eindhoven in their final league-phase game, which was a dead rubber.

Liverpool topped their league phase group with seven wins from eight games, including an impressive 2-0 victory over holders Real Madrid. Their domestic form has been equally formidable, with 20 wins making them the most successful team across Europe's top five leagues this season.

The Reds, powered by the brilliance of Mohamed Salah, sit 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League as they close in on a record-equalling 20th English title. They also have a chance to secure the first silverware of the Slot era when they meet Newcastle in the League Cup final at Wembley on 16 march.

After a brief dip in form, Liverpool regained momentum with back-to-back 2-0 wins against Manchester City and Newcastle, bringing them closer to league glory. Their early FA Cup exit also granted them a valuable rest ahead of their Paris showdown.

"We don't fear anybody," Slot said. "But I'm impressed by PSG's quality—they are on an upwards curve a bit similar to ours at the moment. We definitely respect them and there's a reason for that. They won so many games in a row and they have so many quality players."

Enrique wary of in-form Liverpool

PSG, under Luis Enrique, have been just as dominant domestically, maintaining a 13-point lead at the top of Ligue 1 with a 24-game unbeaten run. However, their Champions League journey has been more turbulent, as defeats to Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, and Bayern Munich forced them into the play-off round, where they thrashed Brest 10-0 on aggregate.

While PSG have coasted through Ligue 1, Enrique is under no illusions about the challenge posed by Liverpool.

"I know Liverpool very well, without a doubt they are the team in the best form in Europe both in terms of results and play," said Enrique. "It could have been a Champions League final. We're going to try to do it with our weapons."

With the second leg set for Anfield on 11 march, Liverpool could adopt a cautious approach in Paris before harnessing the raucous support of their fans on home soil. However, Slot's comments hinted at an attacking strategy in the French capital.

"It's going to be a very interesting game for everybody who loves football," the Dutchman said. "I would be surprised if people who are neutral watch a different game than that one because I think everyone, including Paris Saint-Germain and us, are looking forward to the game."