PSG Star Braced For ‘Tough’ Opening Champions League Fixture Against Liverpool

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti says the French club are bracing themselves for a difficult game against Liverpool on Tuesday night.

The Ligue One side have started the campaign with five consecutive wins but the Italian international says his team are preparing for a step up in quality at Anfield:

“The fact that we won all the games before the game against Liverpool it’s important. But the game against the Reds will be different. They play very well, especially at home and they have plenty of experience in the Champions League thanks to last season’s final.”

“It’s going to be an important test for us, not a decisive one but we need to start well, it’s going to be a tough game.”

Verratti won’t feature in the opening group game against the Reds as he is suspended following his sending off in the round of 16 tie against Real Madrid last campaign.

The 25-year-old has only just returned from a month out with an adductor problem, but he started his first league game of the season in the 4-0 win over Saint-Etienne on Friday evening.

Two notable absentees for that match were Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. Neither player was named in the matchday squad with manager Thomas Tuchel saying that the pair were rested after their exertions for their countries during the international break.