Paris Saint-Germain Draws Liverpool in Champions League Round of 16
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will face Liverpool in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League, as decided by the draw held on Friday. The draw, conducted by former Bayern Munich and Lyon forward Giovane Elber, pitted the French champions against one of the most formidable teams in Europe.
The matchup marks a high-stakes duel between two of football’s heavyweights. Liverpool, led by their prolific forward Mohamed Salah, topped their Champions League group and currently sit second in the Premier League standings. PSG, meanwhile, finished second in their group and have been in impressive form domestically.
Liverpool’s dominance in the Champions League is well-established, having won the competition six times. The Reds have also been in excellent form this season, with Salah leading the charge with a staggering 29 goals and 20 assists across all competitions.
PSG, on the other hand, will be looking to make a statement in the Champions League after disappointing exits in recent years. The arrival of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappé has given the Parisians a fearsome attacking trio, and they will be eager to prove their credentials on the biggest stage.
The draw has been met with mixed reactions from both clubs. Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp expressed his excitement about the prospect of facing PSG, while PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino admitted that it was a "difficult" draw.
"It’s a great challenge," said Klopp. "They have world-class players, and we all know about their attacking power. But we’re not afraid. We’re looking forward to the games."
Pochettino, on the other hand, was more cautious in his assessment. "It’s a difficult draw," he said. "Liverpool are one of the best teams in the world. But we’re confident in our abilities, and we’ll do everything we can to beat them."
The first leg of the Round of 16 tie will be played at the Parc des Princes in Paris on February 14, 2023, with the return leg taking place at Anfield in Liverpool on March 8, 2023.
The winner of the tie will face either Real Madrid or Manchester City in the quarter-finals.
