Liverpool face a tough last-16 in the Champions League after being drawn against Paris Saint Germain.
The Reds thought they may have secured a nice knockout fixture after finishing top of the new-look league phase, but have had no such luck.
After a slow start to the competition this year, PSG ended up finishing 15th. But after annihilating Brest 10-0 on aggregate in the play-off, they will now face Liverpool.
The first-leg will be played in Paris on the 4th or 5th of March, with the return leg at Anfield a week later.
The Reds will need to be wary of a number of PSG players, with the likes of Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia catching the eye.
However, while the French champions have been free-scoring this season, they have also been brilliant in midfield, something Diogo Jota knows only too well.
Diogo Jota talks up ‘quality’ Joao Neves
Look through the PSG squad and you’ll see quality all over the pitch. The forward line does stand out especially, but the midfield is equally impressive.
At the heart of it is Joao Neves, the £60m signing from Benfica during the summer of 2024.
Liverpool were heavily linked with Neves in the build-up to his arrival at PSG, with Jota moved to give the youngster his stamp of approval.
Asked by GOAL to name a young player who ‘everyone should watch out for’ in June 2024, Liverpool’s No.20 opted for his countryman.
READ MORE: Liverpool’s head-to-head record against PSG as Reds draw French giants in Champions League last-16
“Joao Neves. He has the quality and the mindset to go really far,” Jota replied. It was a good call from the forward, and Liverpool should be making their plans to stop Neves.
Daniel Sturridge echoes Neves praise
Jota’s praise of Neves was interesting during last summer, with Liverpool seemingly interested in signing the then Benfica player.
However, since his move to PSG, it has become clear that the Reds did miss out on a potentially generational signing.
Daniel Sturridge hailed Neves after watching him help PSG to a Champions League win over Manchester City back in January.
“Joao Neves = BALLER!!” Sturridge raved on X. “Future looking good for The Parisians, some serious young talent in their squad.”
Neves is far from the only one Liverpool will have to be wary of next month, but he certainly a player they’ll have to try and stop.
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