Anfield Stadium will activate as the stage for the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second-leg match between Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on March 11, 2025. The match between Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain will begin at 8:00 PM GMT (12:00 PM PDT) after the 04:12 AM PDT start time of today when Liverpool holds a 1-0 advantage from the first leg. Two top European teams are set for a crucial match where Liverpool targets a quarter-final berth while PSG needs to defeat the first leg deficit. An analysis follows that examines all aspects of the highly anticipated Liverpool FC vs Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) second-leg matchup set for 8:00 PM GMT (12:00 PM PDT) on 12 March.
Background and Stakes
First Leg Recap
During the March 5th match at Parc des Princes a resilient playing style combined with missed chances depicted the first leg result. Liverpool managed to pull off a victory from behind after Elliott scored a goal on substitute duty while Núñez provided the assist during the 87th minute. The Reds experienced limited control in the game because they only managed two attempts (0.27 expected goal value) while PSG totaled 27 shots (1.82 expected goal value). Alisson Becker delivered his best Anfield performance by making nine saves as Liverpool kept a spotless sheet during their victory. PSG controlled the game with their possession yet they failed to convert their numerous opportunities thus creating an uphill challenge at Anfield.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot confirmed after the match that his team’s victory exceeded their performance level while PSG manager Luis Enrique criticized his team for missed opportunities. Louis Enrique’s team has a narrow lead after this match but its driving offense leaves the competition totally accessible. The visitors aim to equalize the scores before both sides enter extra time or penalties because Liverpool continues to hold advantages from playing at home.
The Bigger Picture
Liverpool faces a crucial week that includes this particular match. Liverpool currently holds a 15-point Premier League lead following their 3-1 victory against Southampton on March 8 because they are set for league success while facing Newcastle in the upcoming Carabao Cup final on March 16. Under Erik Slot the team has flourished so the potential Champions League quarter-final spot would maintain their chances for a treble victory. In their title-leading position with 16-point domination of Ligue 1 PSG have an opportunity to prove their European championship potential. The boosted Enrique-led team has faced Anfield’s heated environment as their next challenge to remain in the tournament bracket.
Recent Form and Context
Liverpool’s Dominance
Liverpoolependency under manager Slot approaches a historic milestone as he seeks to achieve the first five-successful Champions League home matches with an English squad at Anfield. Throughout the league phase Liverpool achieved seven victories from eight matches while giving up few goals and secured wins in their four European home matches whenever they netted at least two times. During their win against Southampton Mohamed Salah marked two penalties which propelled him to become the third-highest scorer in club history.
The Reds demonstrate their toughness through victory through determination as shown by their remarkable Paris performance. Alongside his remarkable form Alisson stands as a key component while their successful home record at Anfield demonstrates undefeated status in 14 Champions League knockout tie eliminations after leading first opponents makes them powerful favorites. PSG’s strong quality forces Liverpool to produce their best performance thus far according to Slot.
PSG’s Resolve
Since their 4-1 victory over Rennes on March 8 PSG have established an unbeaten streak of 25 matches across the Ligue 1 league as well as the league championship. The European team has maintained a perfect Champions League run with twenty-one goals from five consecutive victories before Liverpool put an end to their streak. Enrique’s leadership has driven PSG to unite as a team which now depends on group offense instead of relying on its former individual players. Their opening match dominance was complete with 19 successful dribbles representing the most by PSG against Liverpool in a Champions League match since 2018 while finishing remains a questionable aspect of their game.
Team News and Lineups
Liverpool’s Selection
The team of Liverpool has reintroduced Cody Gakpo following his participation in training on March 10 despite having previously been injured. Dominik Szoboszlai returns to the starting XI as the replacement for Southampton after a brief substitution while Connor Bradley along with Joe Gomez and Tyler Morton continue to miss matches. The defensive foundation of Liverpool comprises Alisson with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konaté as their four-man backline. Salah works as an attacking midfielder alongside Szoboszlai and Luis Díaz who would support Jota as he leads the attack. The critical roles fall to Gravenberch and Mac Allister in central midfield. A probable 4-2-3-1 lineup:
- Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker
- Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konaté, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson
- Midfielders: Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister
- The forward line includes Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, Luis Díaz and Diogo Jota.
PSG’s Options
Enrique can select his entire available squad since PSG does not have any significant injury problems. The starting goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma will play with Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, and Nuno Mendes forming the lineup behind him. The midfield trio of João Neves together with Vitinha and Fabián Ruiz will operate as the type of playmakers who provide stabilizing characteristics to the team while Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Bradley Barcola are expected to occupy forward positions during the match. Désiré Doué is likely to come off the bench because he showed promising performance in recent matches. A probable 4-3-3 lineup:
- Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma
- Defenders: Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, Nuno Mendes
- Midfielders: João Neves, Vitinha, Fabián Ruiz
- The forwards division at Paris Saint-Germain consists of Ousmane Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Bradley Barcola.
Tactical Breakdown
Liverpool’s Approach
Slot has directed his team to win matches instead of prioritizing the protection of their current lead. The home crowd at Anfield will drive Liverpool into an aggressive press with the aim of disorienting PSG. The line-breaking passes played by Alexander-Arnold and Robertson during the competition reached 13.9 and 16.6 per 90 minutes which extends field position to provide Salah and Díaz space on the wing. The passing combinations of Jota will challenge PSG’s defensive pair of center-backs and both Gravenberch and Mac Allister will try to disrupt PSG’s midfield playing style. The danger of counterattacks would increase for Liverpool when PSG advances forward just like when Elliott scored late in Paris.
PSG’s Strategy
Enrique has declared an offensive approach instead of playing on defense. The PSG team will apply their 4-3-3 defensive formation to pressure Liverpool’s midfield players into producing mistakes just like in their earlier match. Through their impressive goal tally of 27 this season Dembélé and Kvaratskhelia will focus on challenging Liverpool’s full-back defense structure and Barcola can exploit vacant areas with his speed. The pair of Vitinha and Neves will manage possession while PSG needs to convert their scoring opportunities better than they did during the previous match in Paris to avoid conceding goals. The defensive setup involving Marquinhos and Pacho could prove to be a vital element during the next match.
Historical Context and Key Stats
Head-to-Head Record
The two teams have previously met twice in Champions League matchups because Liverpool earned victories during 3-2 wins in 2018 and a projected 1-0 win this year at their home stadium. PSG defeated Liverpool once in European competition when they won the 1997 Cup Winners’ Cup semi-final with a total score of 3-2. Among their competitive matches against PSG the Reds achieved three victories while PSG lost twice when visiting Anfield.
Key Statistics
The dominance of Liverpool at Anfield this season remains evident as they have maintained victory in all their Champions League matches hosted at home while triumphing from each of their last fourteen first-leg knockout matches. PSG has failed to secure victories in their last five European away matches versus French teams yet demonstrated their upsets with the 4-1 Barcelona victory from last season. Salah intends to break his scoreless streak against PSG as he plays his third Champions League match against them.
Prediction and Viewing Details
Match Prediction
Despite winning home ground advantage Liverpool remains ahead while PSG offers strong attacking possibilities to make the contest tightly balanced. Similar to their previous matchups the Reds should rely on Anfield backing and counter-attacking moments to secure a win while PSG will register goals but fail to secure the victory. Expect a tense, high-scoring affair.
The anticipated result for this game shows Liverpool winning 2-1 against PSG yet PSG remains ahead 3-1 in the aggregate score.
How to Watch
English viewers can watch the telecast on Amazon Prime Video starting at 8:00 PM GMT while the US audience can stream it on Paramount+ from 12:00 PM PDT. The broadcast coverage in the UK begins one hour before the match start.
Conclusion
Anfield hosts a showdown between Liverpool and PSG where the stadium’s enchantment expects to deliver victory to the Reds. The Reds strive toward another win or PSG fights for an unthinkable victory. The remaining field for the quarter-finals will become visible by the conclusion of tonight.
