Liverpool line-ups as Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott decisions made for PSG

Liverpool line-ups as Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott decisions made for PSG

Liverpool predicted line-ups and teams for the UEFA Champions League last-16 second leg tie against Paris Saint-Germain

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Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain will lock horns again tonight as the Premier League and Ligue 1 leaders face off to see who will progress to the Champions League quarter-finals. The Reds have the advantage after a 1-0 victory in Paris last week when Harvey Elliott's last minute strike completed the ultimate smash-and-grab.

PSG's were the better team on the night, taking 27 shots on Liverpool's goal but Alisson Becker turned in arguably the performance of his career to make nine saves and keep Luis Enrique's side out.

And such was PSG' dominance of the first leg that the return tie at Anfield remains very much in the balance. So who should Arne Slot pick to start the game for Liverpool? Our writers have their say:

Nunez represents key issue for Slot

Paul Gorst: The key issue for Arne Slot this evening is what to do through the middle of his frontline. After Darwin Nunez gave us the full Darwin Nunez experience against Southampton, the temptation might be to persist with the Uruguay striker who changed the game with his cameo against Paris Saint-Germain last week.

But, on the other hand, Diogo Jota was picked for pre-match media duties at Anfield on Monday, which is usually a selection hint. So does the Portugal international start instead? It’s a dilemma Slot must get right.

Outside of that debate, Luis Diaz might keep his place as Cody Gakpo returns to the fold. The Netherlands international hasn’t started for a month so he can be kept in reserve on the bench.

Dominik Szoboszlai keeps his place in midfield but there is a recall for Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott can count himself unlucky once more. He might be needed off the bench. Ditto for Wataru Endo.

At left-back is the only other change for me as birthday boy Andy Robertson is recalled over Kostas Tsimikas who wasn’t at his best against Southampton.

My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Nunez.

Worries can wait

Ian Doyle: Patience, patience, patience. Patience will be the watchword this evening as Liverpool prepare for another tough examination against Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League round of 16 second leg at Anfield.

What, then, is Reds boss Arne Slot to do?

There will be some worries over tired legs, especially with a cup final coming up on Sunday. And there's no doubt a couple of players were exhausted by last week's efforts in the Parc des Princes.

But it's time to go as strong as possible with the players in form. That means Alisson Becker in goal, Ibrahima Konate and skipper Virgil van Dijk at centre-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back and Andy Robertson left-back.

In midfield, Ryan Gravenberch must go again alongside Alexis Mac Allister in the double pivot, with Dominik Szoboszlai the number 10.

And up top, Mohamed Salah is on the right, Luis Diaz down the left and Darwin Nunez in the centre.

My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Nunez.

Harvey Elliott rewarded with a start

Theo Squires: Liverpool have to be better than they were last week against PSG. At least they surely can’t be any worse.

With a place in the quarter-finals up for grabs, the back five picks itself with Andy Robertson returning in place of Kostas Tsimikas.

Dominik Szoboszlai is so crucial to the Reds but he has struggled in the last two games with the workload perhaps catching up on him. With both the Hungarian and Curtis Jones substituted at half-time against Southampton, I’m tempted to reward the in-form Harvey Elliott with a rare start at number 10.

Alexis Mac Allister starts alongside Ryan Gravenberch, while Luis Diaz keeps his place on the left. I would start Cody Gakpo ahead of him if fully fit, but the Dutchman can be limited to substitute duty after only just returning from injury.

And having seen how vulnerable PSG were to Darwin Nunez’s pace and power down the middle last week, he can keep his place in attack ahead of Diogo Jota.

My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Elliott, Diaz; Nunez.

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