PSG vs Liverpool: Rematch Amidst Reds' Crisis

Liverpool faces Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarterfinal first leg on Wednesday, entering the match in a state of disarray. The team has fallen out of the Premier League title race and suffered a significant FA Cup defeat, leading to questions about the manager's future and player morale. This situation is a stark contrast to last year when Liverpool was dominating the Premier League and PSG struggled. PSG, who ultimately won the Champions League last year after defeating Liverpool, are emphasizing that they do not consider themselves favorites despite Liverpool's current struggles.

PSG midfielder Vitinha noted that media labeled Liverpool as favorites last year, yet PSG advanced. He stressed that Liverpool remains a strong team despite their current form. PSG is close to securing another French league title, while Liverpool sits fifth in the Premier League. Captain Virgil van Dijk has publicly apologized for the team's performance in a recent heavy defeat, stating the players "gave up." PSG coach Luis Enrique echoed the sentiment that there are no clear favorites for this tie, referencing last year's outcome.

PSG will be without Bradley Barcola and Fabián Ruiz for the home leg. The article also highlights the return of forward Hugo Ekitike, who previously played for Liverpool before moving to Eintracht Frankfurt and then back to Liverpool for £69 million. Ekitike has performed well since his move, scoring 17 goals and earning a place in the French national team. Both Vitinha and Luis Enrique acknowledged Ekitike's improvement since his earlier spell at PSG.