PSG’s title defence faces Liverpool test

PSG coach Luis Enrique has downplayed his side’s favourites tag ahead of Wednesday’s mouthwatering Champions League quarterfinal first leg against Liverpool, insisting form will carry little weight in such a high-stakes clash.

PSG, Ligue 1 leaders and defending European champions, host an inconsistent Liverpool side who sit fifth in the Premier League and have suffered 15 defeats in all competitions this season -- their highest since 2014-15.

“Everyone is trying to work out who the favourites are, but in this sort of match that means nothing,” Enrique said. “It will be tough for both teams.”

The tie revives last season’s round of 16 meeting when PSG progressed on penalties despite Liverpool being widely tipped to advance. The head-to-head record remains even, with three wins apiece from six European encounters.

PSG come into the match in dominant form, having thrashed Chelsea 8-2 on aggregate in the last 16, while Liverpool overturned a first-leg deficit to beat Galatasaray 4-1 overall.

The French giants have also excelled against English opposition recently, going unbeaten in their last six Champions League games against Premier League clubs (W5 D1) and progressing from all four knockout ties against them since last season.

Both teams promise attacking intent, with PSG (90) and Liverpool (85) registering the most shots on target in this season’s competition so far. However, the odds are up against PSG as the holders have been eliminated in four of the last five quarterfinals, with Real Madrid in 2022-23 the exception in that run.

Elsewhere, Barcelona face Atletico Madrid in another quarterfinal clash just days after their La Liga meeting.

Hansi Flick’s side won that encounter 2-1, extending their unbeaten run to nine matches and maintaining a seven-point league lead.

Barcelona beat Newcastle United 8-3 on aggregate in the last 16, scoring 73 Champions League goals since Flick’s arrival -- more than any other side. However, they have not kept a clean sheet in their last 13 matches in the competition.

Wednesday’s tie will be the fifth European meeting between Barcelona and Atletico – all in the quarter-finals – while Atletico have never won an away Champions League match against Spanish opposition (D1 L4).