PSG manager Luis Enrique has already made it clear what he thinks of Arne Slot and Liverpool

PSG manager Luis Enrique has already made it clear what he thinks of Arne Slot and Liverpool ahead of the Champions League rematch a year on from the Reds losing on penalties

PSG head coach Luis Enrique during a press conference.(Image: Glenn Gervot - PSG via Getty Images)

Liverpool will take on PSG in the quarter-finals of the Champions League in a rematch of the last-16 tie in 2024/25 that saw Arne Slot's side lose on penalties.

A year ago, Liverpool was on the verge of becoming Premier League champion, but was hammered in the first leg at the Parc des Princes, somehow winning 1-0 via a Harvey Elliott goal after a goalkeeping masterclass from Alisson Becker.

After PSG knocked Liverpool out last season, it went on to win the trophy, beating Inter Milan 5-0 in the final, which was held in Munich. It also eliminated Arsenal and Aston Villa en route.

Ahead of PSG taking on Liverpool last season, head coach Luis Enrique made his feelings clear on the tie, with the Reds well on their way to winning the league at that stage.

"If we look at Liverpool, which, in theory, is in a transition year, they have a top-level coach and are one of the best teams in Europe," Enrique said ahead of last year's last-16 tie.

"With their results, they are at the top of the standings, etc. But I believe we will be in the competition, and we will give them a hard time. The goal is to fight until the end."

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot and Luis Enrique of Paris Saint-Germain during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg at Anfield on March 11 2025(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

This time around, Liverpool is far from in the same shape that it was, even if the win over Galatasaray on Wednesday was a major step in the right direction.

The Reds are in the mix for Champions League qualification ahead of next season, but still have plenty of work to do on that front. Slot's men travel to Brighton in the early kick-off slot on Saturday.

"I think occasionally we have been showing and playing good games but not consistently and on a regular basis and it’s been frustrating for all of us and for the fans as well," Virgil van Dijk said.

"But the only thing we can do is keep going, try to improve and every time you are out there represent the badge in the best way possible.

"It was a good night. We have been having good performances this season and we haven’t been able to build on it the next time.

"It is very hard but that’s the hardest thing in life, doing it each and every three or four days. If you do that you become successful, there’s a big chance you become successful. That’s what you strive for, that’s what we had last year and that’s what we try to reach.

"But you need multiple factors to go your way and now don’t get carried away. This was a demanding game physically and mentally and it is down to us to do all the right things to be ready for an early kick-off at Brighton because Brighton away is always difficult."

Liverpool.com says: This Reds side is nowhere near the same level as the one that took on PSG last year, but play as it did against Galatasaray and it will have a chance. The aim now, as Van Dijk says, is to build on it.