Luis Enrique has downplayed the idea of a favourite in the upcoming UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool. The two teams are set to meet on Wednesday, with Liverpool currently in disarray after being routed in the FA Cup and mounting questions over the manager's future. This is a far cry from when the sides met in the round of 16 last year, when Liverpool were romping to the Premier League title and Mohamed Salah was at his brilliant best.
By contrast, PSG had struggled to get out of the Champions League group stage last year, but went on to win the Champions League for the first time with a rout of Inter Milan in the final. Enrique's team scraped through on penalties against Liverpool after an intense battle over two legs. Speaking in his press conference on Tuesday, Enrique insisted that there is no favourite in the upcoming match.
Enrique referenced last year's match between the two teams, where PSG qualified for the next round despite being considered the underdog. "With this team, it's impossible to have a favourite," Enrique said. "I don't believe it. Who are the favourites? If you remember last year, everyone said it was Liverpool, and the team that qualified [for the next round] was Paris Saint-Germain. For me, there is no favourite."
Luis Enrique's comments suggest that he is confident in his team's ability to overcome Liverpool, despite their recent struggles. Enrique's reference to last year's match highlights the unpredictability of the Champions League, and implies that PSG's victory was not a fluke. This mindset could give PSG an edge in the upcoming match, as they look to repeat their success from last year. Enrique's tactics will be crucial in determining the outcome of the match.
