Here’s everything you need to know as Liverpool play away against Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Liverpool
Champions League Quarter-Final (1st leg) | Parc des Princes
April 8, 2026 | 8pm (BST)
Liverpool return to the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time since 2022, but they face a daunting test against free-scoring European Champions PSG.
Arne Slot‘s side faced the Parisiens in the round of 16 last season, winning 1-0 away in the first leg. They will need to go one better this time around, though, having lost the the tie on penalties at Anfield last year.
Alexander Isak travels with the squad
While he mightn’t yet be at full sharpness, the news that Alexander Isak is with the squad in Paris is a welcome boost to a squad that has become over reliant on 23-year-old Hugo Ekitike.
A 21-man squad has flown across the Channel, with only Calvin Ramsay (ineligible) and Kieran Morrison being left at home from Tuesday lunchtime’s training squad.
Though Isak is now back in the frame, Alisson, Conor Bradley, Wataru Endo, Giovanni Leoni, Jayden Danns and Stefan Bajcetic remain out of action.
Predicted Liverpool XI vs. PSG
Though Isak is back in contention, he is unlikely to play from the off this week meaning we should see Ekitike start his 33rd match of the season.
Slot hinted after Saturday’s defeat that Joe Gomez was substituted with the PSG match in mind, so he could remain at right-back in an unchanged defence.
In midfield, Alexis Mac Allister will probably replace Curtis Jones, with Cody Gakpo the other contender to potentially regain a spot in the side.
Predicted LFC XI: Mamardashvili; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitike
5 players at risk of suspension
Per UEFA rules, players who are booked three times before the Champions League semi-finals earn a one-match ban.
Liverpool currently have four players on just a booking away from suspension, though one of those – Conor Bradley – is already ruled out for the rest of the campaign.
Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Jones are the other Reds one yellow card away from missing the second leg at Anfield.
Meanwhile, PSG have two players in the same boat, left-back Nuno Mendes and left-winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
PSG have won 5 of their last 6 matches
PSG come into the match on the back of five wins from their last six games, including two victories over Chelsea by three-goal margins.
Friday night saw them beat Toulouse 3-1 and move four points clear at the top of Ligue 1 with a game in hand.
Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele stood out for the European champions, netting twice in the first half either side of a Rasmus Nicolaisen goal for the visitors, before Goncalo Ramos completed the scoring in stoppage time.
Midfield pair Vitinha and Joao Neves were rested, coming on as second-half substitutes, while Mendes also sat it out.
PSG team news – Bradley Barcola is back in training
PSG have received an injury boost ahead of the match, with winger Bradley Barcola returning to training this week after spraining his ankle three weeks ago.
While he could be involved at the Parc des Princes, it is more likely he starts on the bench before playing a bigger part in the return leg at Anfield.
Teenage midfielder Senny Mayulu has also returned, following a calf problem, but Wednesday’s hosts are still Fabian Ruiz and young winger Quentin Ndjantou.
Possible PSG XI: Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Neves; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia
Who is the referee for PSG vs. Liverpool?
Jose Maria Sanchez is to take charge of PSG vs. Liverpool, with assistance coming from Raul Cabanero and Inigo Prieto on the touchlines, while Juan Martinez Munuera has the fourth official role.
In the VAR booth, Carlos del Cerro Grande will be video assistant referee and will be assisted by Guillermo Cuadra Fernandez.
Referee Sanchez has officiated six Champions League matches this season, already issuing 24 yellow cards, four red cards and three penalties.
How to watch PSG vs. Liverpool
If you’re in the UK, PSG vs. Liverpool is on TNT Sports 1 which is available to stream with HBO Max here.
Elsewhere, Paramount+ are showing the match in the US, while Fubo TV will carry DAZN’s coverage in Canada.
For full world listings, Live Soccer TV is the place to visit for all your information.
Hugo Ekitike’s return to PSG
Ekitike spent 18 months at PSG as a youngster in France, but with the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in the squad, his game time was limited.
The Reims-native started just 14 times before leaving for Eintracht Frankfurt, where he would excel and earn his £79 million move to Liverpool.
Ekitike played 33 times for PSG in all competitions from 2022 to 2023, scoring four goals. He made four appearances for the club in the Champions League, all as a substitute.
Did you know?
Liverpool have faced PSG six times in their history across three ties, each team winning three games.
The Reds have won 15 of their last 20 away Champions League games (five defeats), including nine of the last 12.
Should Slot’s side concede four goals in Paris, it would be the first time they have conceded four in consecutive matches since April 2009, when a 4-4 draw at Chelsea in the Champions League was followed by a Premier League 4-4 stalemate against Arsenal at Anfield.
Follow the match with TIA
PSG vs. Liverpool is live on TNT Sports 1 with kickoff at 8pm (BST).
TIA’s matchday live blog will be up and running from 7.15pm, with Henry Jackson tasked with keeping you entertained and up-to-date.
Come on you Reds!