Liverpool will be grateful to have a 1-0 lead after the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match against PSG, thanks to their only shot on target, despite being under pressure for most of the game. There is still another 90 minutes to play before either team reaches the quarter-finals, but Liverpool are in a strong position, having progressed in all 37 previous European ties where they won the first leg away from home.
The Reds had another scare at the weekend, as they were trailing bottom-placed Southampton at half-time, but managed to win 3-1. The fans will hope for another positive result, as Liverpool have won their last five games against French teams at Anfield.
This stat will worry PSG, who have not won any of their last 15 visits to England. The Parisians have also lost their last four games in England. However, they’ve shown they can be dangerous when facing a tough situation, as they managed to progress in two of their last five UCL knockout ties after losing the first leg.
The most recent example was beating Barcelona 6-4 on aggregate last season, despite losing the first leg at home. This was the first time they had turned around a two-legged European tie after a home loss, after failing to do so in the previous seven attempts. Luis Enrique’s team will be determined to create another upset on Merseyside, and their confidence is boosted by a 4-1 win over Rennes at the weekend.
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson made ten saves in the first leg, but he has only managed to keep a clean sheet in both legs of a UCL knockout tie once in 12 previous attempts. PSG’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia thought he had scored against Alisson in Paris, but VAR ruled it out. Kvaratskhelia may play a crucial role again, as all seven of his goals this season have led to wins for PSG.
Liverpool have scored exactly two goals in eight of their last nine UCL home matches.
