Luis Enrique and PSG “Not Going to Change Much” Against Liverpool

The Paris Saint-Germain manager is confident in his side’s ability despite acknowledging that in Liverpool are facing “the best team in Europe.”

The headlinging superstars have mostly left Paris Saint-Germain, with the club pivoting away from a Galacticos approach following the departures of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappé in recent seasons and seeking to build a more rounded squad.

After a slow start to 2024-25, there are signs that change might be paying off, as in recent months PSG have arguably been Europe’s most in form side. Now, in the Round of 16 of the Champions League, they face off against Liverpool—the best side in Europe this season.

“We will play against the best team in Europe,” said manager Luis Enrique ahead of the first leg on Wednesday. “They qualified brilliantly, but it’s not in our mentality to go out to just protect ourselves and stay defensive. We will attack and try to turn that in our favour.

“Liverpool well, without a doubt they are the team in the best form in Europe in terms of results and play. This could have been a Champions League final pairing. But we’re not going to change much, we [will try to] pressure them so they have to play long.”

Enrique went on to explicitly compare the Reds’ approach to Lille, who PSG beat 4-1 over the weekend by pressing them high up the pitch to disrupt their buildup play. Liverpool, though, are clearly a big step up from Lille even if there are stylistic similarities.

Key amongst them is that Liverpool have proven they’re comfortable largely bypassing midfield at times under Arne Slot, with Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold in particular adept at playing direct and accurate long balls from deep in defence.

In fact, a fast break, long-ball approach—with passes over the top to Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota flicked on to runners—defined the early season. Until opponents began to adjust to prevent it, pressing less and in turn allowing Liverpool a more measured build up.

It will be interesting to see, then, if Enrique sticks to his word and seeks to disrupt the Reds with a heavy press. And it will be interesting to see if Slot and Liverpool are ready to it and head into the game looking for long balls and flick-ons to runners on the break.

Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com