UEFA Champions League Pick & Preview: Liverpool vs PSG – Tuesday, March 11, 2025

Liverpool will welcome Paris Saint-Germain to Anfield on Tuesday night for the crucial second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, holding a slender 1-0 advantage from their dramatic first-leg victory in Paris.

Despite PSG dominating possession and firing 27 shots at goal, Alisson Becker produced a heroic performance with nine crucial saves, while substitute Harvey Elliott netted an 87th-minute winner to give the Reds a shock lead in the tie.

However, history suggests Liverpool are in a strong position – having progressed in each of their last 14 Champions League knockout ties after winning the first leg. The last team to overturn such a deficit against them was Bayer Leverkusen in 2001-02.

Liverpool’s Recent Form & Injury Updates

Arne Slot’s men extended their winning streak to four matches across all competitions with a 3-1 comeback win over Southampton in the Premier League at the weekend. A rare defensive lapse allowed Will Smallbone to put the Saints ahead, but second-half goals from Darwin Núnez and a Mohamed Salah brace – which saw the Egyptian King climb to third on Liverpool’s all-time top scorers list – secured another valuable victory en route to their 20th domestic Championship.

While Slot will be delighted with the final score, Liverpool’s first-half struggles against Southampton exposed vulnerabilities that a ruthless PSG attack will be eager to exploit.

On the injury front, Cody Gakpo has recovered from a minor knock and is available for selection, while Joe GOmez, Tyler Morton, and Conor Bradley remain sidelined. Dominik Szoboszlai may drop to the bench after Slot admitted he was physically struggling at the weekend, which could open the door for Harvey Elliott to start.

PSG Seek Redemption at Anfield

Despite suffering a rare home defeat, PSG will take inspiration from last season’s comeback against Barcelona, where they overturned a 3-2 first-leg home loss with a 4-1 win in Spain.

They warmed up for the Anfield showdown with a 4-1 victory over Rennes, with Ousmane Dembele netting a late brace, while Bradley Barcola and Goncalo Ramos were also on target.

Luis Enrique’s squad boasts no injury concerns, and several key players – Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and even goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma – were rested at the weekend and will return for the second leg.

Warren Zaire-Emery, who captained PSG in their latest victory, is expected to start on the bench.

Key Facts (Useful Betting Data)

• PSG have won their last 13 away matches in all competitions, including three consecutive Champions League road wins.
• No French team has beaten an English side away from home in the last 15 attempts, with PSG being the last to do so—against Manchester United in December 2020.
• Liverpool have won 14 straight Champions League ties after winning the first leg.

Possible Starting Lineups of Liverpool and PSG 

• Liverpool: Alisson Becker – Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Andrew Robertson – Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch – Mohamed Salah, Harvey Elliott, Cody Gakpo – Diogo Jota. (4-2-3-1) 
• Paris Saint-Germain: Gianluigi Donnarumma – Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, William Pacho, Nuno Mendes – Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, Joao Neves – Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola. (4-3-3) 

Spooky Express Betting Prediction 

For those looking to place a wager on this high-stakes Champions League clash, Liverpool are priced at +120 to secure another victory at Anfield, while PSG sit at +190 to turn the tie around in 90 minutes. A draw – an outcome that would send the six-time champions through – is available at +290 at EveryGame.

Despite PSG’s attacking prowess and impressive away form, Anfield has historically been a fortress for Liverpool on European nights, and the Reds’ ability to grind out results in crucial matches gives them the edge. PSG’s first-leg profligacy – 27 shots and zero goals – exposed a persistent issue in their European campaigns: inefficiency in front of goal when the pressure is at its highest.

Additionally, Mohamed Salah, fresh from becoming Liverpool’s third-highest scorer of all time, is primed to make an impact. The Egyptian talisman was kept relatively quiet in the first leg but should thrive in front of the home crowd, and his odds to score anytime stand at +135 at EveryGame – an excellent value bet considering his track record in big matches.

With PSG forced to attack, Liverpool’s counter-attacking ability, combined with their experience in navigating tight knockout ties, should see them secure another famous Anfield victory and book their place in the quarter-finals.

Given Liverpool’s strong home record, PSG’s history of European collapses, and Mohamed Salah’s reliability as a goal-scorer, we’re backing:

Spooky Express Free Play: Liverpool to Win (+120 at EveryGame) for 5/10 Units

Spooky Express Free Play 2:  Mohamed Salah to Score Anytime (+135 at EveryGame) for 5/10 Units