Liverpool vs. PSG: 5 key matchups

PSG head across the channel to take on Liverpool in the Champions League on Tuesday. Here are five the matchups that could decide the result.

While fans of both European giants can gripe and groan over the fairness of Liverpool being placed in Pot 3 for the Champions league draw, all soccer fans will be buzzing over this quality start to the group stages. It will certainly be the most-watched game by neutrals on Tuesday, at least.

The match will pit two of the world’s most gifted attacks against each other, with neither manager likely to nullify their attacking intent by playing conservatively. With that in mind, let’s look at the individual battles that will shape the course of the game.

Marquinhos vs. James Milner (and Roberto Firmino)

In a match that will include attacking superstars such as Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, the tectonic plate most primed to shift the game will be converted center-back Marquinhos anchoring the PSG midfield.

Marco Verratti, the calming influence of the Parisian midfield, is suspended for the match. Over the past few weeks, manager Thomas Tuchel has installed Marquinhos at center defensive midfielder. The results have been … less than promising.

While fans of PSG have been quite worked up over this — a cursory search of “Marquinhos DM” on Twitter will fill you in on the vitriol — Tuchel seems to be backing the decision. When asked about the conversion, he stated Marquinhos “has the qualities we are looking for” in a defensive midfielder.

This should have the Liverpudlian attack salivating, particularly the ball-winning duo of James Milner and Roberto Firmino. The high press of Liverpool should keep all of PSG on their toes, and you have to wonder how a converted defender will handle the pressure in midfield.

In their lone goal against Brighton (below), the well-oiled gegenpressing machine was in full effect. Milner is attacking the pass recipient before the ball is even played and, in the blink of an eye, Salah has slotted into the back of the net. That is straight from Klopp’s textbook.

Roberto Firmino — himself a former center defensive midfielder — is consistently one of the best ball-winning attackers in the game. Last season, Firmino had the second most tackles in the Premier League for a forward, only trailing Jordan Ayew.

Marquinhos will have to be confident and quick on the ball, lest he be bullied by Milner or Firmino. One must wonder if Tuchel will listen to his fans and have Marquinhos sit this one out.

Mohamed Salah vs. Stanley N’Soki or Thilo Kehrer

This match will feature quite a few teenagers, including two at full-back. PSG will be hoping that young Stanley N’Soki, only 19, will have the same success in the first team his fellow 19-year-old, Trent Alexander-Arnold, had last year. It’s certainly a hard first European test.

N’Soki, a rumored Arsenal and Newcastle target in the summer, has featured at left back more often to start the season than Thilo Kehrer, signed from Schalke this summer. Kehrer himself is only 21 years old and has had a rough go to start the season.

Regardless of who gets the nod, they’ll have a torrid test against the Egyptian King. Salah has been slightly more profligate in front of goal to start the season than he was last year, but he is still world class.

Regardless of the choice at full-back, Salah’s slaloms down the right flank should draw extra attention, as one would expect Tuchel to not let either young defender be left to fend for themselves. However, more attention on Salah just leaves more room for the other members of the Liverpool attack to work in.

It’s a conundrum. Tuchel will need to invent a creative solution while hoping that N’soki or Kehrer will have the cracker of a game required.

https://twitter.com/LFCUSA/status/1038773264095559682

Neymar vs. Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez

The fervor and belief in Klopp and his men is at an all-time high in Liverpool. No small part of that comes from the defense. Joe Gomez has utilized Dejan Lovren’s bout of setbacks to form, alongside Virgil Van Dijk, one of the stingiest duos in the Premier League.

That has not gone unnoticed, at the club or international level. Gomez got the start for England against Spain in the Nations League game during the break. Meanwhile, on Merseyside, rumors swirl that there is a long-term deal in the works for Gomez.

One person lacking that fervor toward Liverpool, however, is Neymar. The Brazilian decided to give Klopp’s men some bulletin board material last month when he told reporters who he thought would finish in the Premier League top four this season, and left out Liverpool. When pressed again, he confirmed, “No Liverpool.”

On the pitch, Neymar has been playing in a central role this season, flanked by Angel Di Maria and Kylian Mbappe on the wings. His central positioning has allowed him to roam fluidly through the attack. He has been his ruthless self, with four goals in four Ligue 1 matches to go along with an assist.

Van Dijk has been commanding at the back, and Gomez has praised his mentorship. Liverpool fans will be hoping those lessons don’t become cautionary don’t-do-that’s against such a fearsome foe. Neymar, meanwhile, will do his utmost to say no to Liverpool’s European hopes.

Kylian Mbappe vs. Andy Robertson

World Cup hero Mbappe should be well-rested for Liverpool, as he earned a straight red card in PSG’s match against Nimes for shoving an opponent in the last minutes of the game. That’s the only thing that has stopped him, as he’s tallied four goals and two assists in just three matches.

We saw Mbappe rip the world’s best to shreds with his blistering pace at the World Cup. He has continued to perform for both club and country. It will be a tall task for new Scottish captain Andy Robertson to contain him.

Especially concerning for Klopp and Robertson will be the tendency for Robertson to play farther forward. In much the same way Marcelo can play too far forward for Real Madrid, Robertson charges ahead with pinpoint crosses.

It will be interesting to see if Klopp keeps Robertson pinned farther back. That would sacrifice some of their attacking intent, but the World Cup’s Best Young Player will test the limits of Klopp’s commitment to said intent.

Jurgen Klopp vs. Thomas Tuchel

Each of the matchups listed above involve serious questions for these two managers to consider. Both were known as wizards of their craft at Borussia Dortmund, and both are recognized as among the world’s best.

Klopp has built a pressing team that works as a complete unit and, with owners FSG committed to the cause, now has the defensive talent to not have to score, score, score to win.

Tuchel, meanwhile, is still bedding in new players and bedding in himself. Thus far he has a spotless record, but he has yet to meet a foe such as Liverpool.

Interestingly, Tuchel has talked about being more flexible with PSG than he was with Borussia Dortmund. According to a translation of Tuchel from the PSG subreddit, Tuchel stated “You can’t play every game the same way, even if it works out.”

Tuchel went on to state that there would not be time to adapt in-game against Liverpool, that the game plan has to be right from the get-go. PSG fans will have to hope their tactical mastermind can come up with that game plan.

After all, the last time these two managers met, Anfield magic happened. This match has all the talent and drama for more.