Paris Saint Germain manager Luis Enrique is anticipating a good game when his team face Liverpool in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
The two sides faced off in the last-16 12 months ago, delivering an exciting two-legged tie which was ultimately decided on penalties.
PSG came out on top then, but according to Enrique, Liverpool have just as much chance of progressing as his own team this season.
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Enrique excited ahead of Liverpool quarter-final
When Liverpool and PSG clashed last season, the Reds were well on their way to winning the Premier League title.
Things are different this year, but speaking in his press conference ahead of the Ligue 1 match with Nice this weekend, Enrique claimed that there will not be a favourite to progress into the semi-final.
“Liverpool holds good memories for us, of course,” he said. “I remember last year. Liverpool were the best team in Europe at that stage, they were playing incredible football.”
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“We’re looking forward to this quarter-final, first in Paris then in Liverpool. I’m fortunate to have an incredible team and intelligent players. They know that in this type of game, there are no favourites. It’ll be very positive for us to play these two games.”
Analysis: PSG favourites for Liverpool tie
Enrique may be keen to underplay just how much better PSG have been than Liverpool this season, but he is wrong that there is not a favourite coming into this tie.
Having gone on to win the Champions League last term – and having just smashed Chelsea 8-2 on aggregate – PSG are certainly more likely to progress.
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Liverpool will definitely propose a test, and they have been far better in Europe than they have domestically this season.
But the Reds are still in patchy shape overall, and with all the attacking riches Enrique has to pick from, it would be a surprise if they cannot do damage to a shaky Liverpool defence.
Nevertheless, Arne Slot’s side should not be counted out completely. Enrique is right to fear Anfield, and there will also be a sense of revenge for some Liverpool players who may feel they should have gone through last season.
If the French champions play at their best, though, they have got to be favourites. It is up to Liverpool to reach that level once again and make a fist of the tie.
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