All you need to know about the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie between Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool.

When: Wednesday 8 April (21:00 CET)

Where: Parc des Princes, Paris

What: UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg

Who: Reigning champions against six-time winners

What you need to know

These sides met in the round of 16 last season, with Paris eventually prevailing on penalties in a nerve-jangling tie. That triumph proved to be the catalyst for a sparkling run of form that culminated in Luis Enrique's charges lifting the trophy at the end of the campaign.

That tie also started a remarkable trend of success for Paris against Premier League teams as they would go on to progress in two-legged ties against Aston Villa and Arsenal, a streak that continued when they comfortably defeated Chelsea 8-2 on aggregate in this season's round of 16. Should they go through the gears against another English club again here then their dream of back-to-back titles would certainly be enhanced.

Liverpool, who have won seven of their last 11 European matches against French teams, will fancy their chances at Anfield in the second leg if they can secure a favourable result here – see their dismantling of Galatasaray there in the round of 16 for evidence. In addition, Arne Slot will be buoyed by the fact that the Reds have won six of their last eight Champions League quarter-final ties.

Mohamed Salah, who became the first African player to reach 50 Champions League goals last time out, and Dominik Szoboszlai – who has scored in five of his last eight games in the competition – will both be vital to their chances. However, they will need to keep a close eye on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the Georgian ace having struck four goals in his last three Champions League knockout phase matches for Paris.

Possible line-ups

Paris: Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Zaïre-Emery, Vitinha, João Neves; Doué, Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia

Liverpool: Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Konaté, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Wirtz; Salah, Ekitiké

Form: WWWWLW (most recent game first)

Latest: Paris 3-1 Toulouse, 03/04, French Ligue 1

Liverpool

Form: LLWDLW

Latest: Manchester City 4-0 Liverpool, 04/04, English FA Cup

Views from the camps

Luis Enrique, Paris coach: "It doesn't matter who the favourites are, because in this type of match, it's impossible to have a favourite. I don't believe we are. Last year, everyone said it was Liverpool and we qualified. The first leg last season was a very, very high-level match. I would sign up for the same match but not for the same result.

"We hope to have more of the ball than Liverpool, but we know how difficult it is, because they are a very good team with a very good coach. We are used to playing against English teams, so in that sense it will be no different from last year."

Vitinha, Paris midfielder: "This is going to be a very different match from last season [in the round of 16]. We had more chances [in the first leg], but Alisson made a lot of saves. There was a bit of frustration at the end, but we told ourselves that by playing like that we could progress, and we did. Today, it's a different season with changes in both teams. Even if Liverpool's current form isn't ideal, they're still a great team with great players."

Arne Slot, Liverpool coach: "It's only about two games and a lot can happen in two games. I think both teams have very good players and both were able to show that when we went toe-to-toe last season."

Florian Wirtz, Liverpool midfielder: "We have shown this season we are good in big games. Especially in Champions League games. The last round against Galatasaray was not easy, they are a good team [but we won]. We have the second game at home which is maybe an advantage. We will try to do our best, believe in ourselves and get a good result to take to Anfield."

Reporter's view

Alex Clementson, match reporter

This will be a tale of contrasting fortunes. With 15 goals in their last four games in all competitions, eight of them against Chelsea in the previous round, Luis Enrique's side have finally begun to gather some of the momentum that eluded them earlier in the campaign. Liverpool, meanwhile, have hit a sticky patch, compounded by a 4-0 FA Cup quarter-final defeat at Man City on Saturday. If Arne Slot's men are to regain their footing, and avenge their Champions League exit at the hands of the Parisians last season, they will have to muster some of the mystique of their European heroics in the past. (Champions League)

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