Luis Enrique switches focus to Liverpool after PSG swat aside Lille

Luis Enrique hailed “the best first half of the season” from his Paris Saint-Germain team as he turned his attention to next week’s clash with Liverpool.

PSG hammered Lille 4-1 on Saturday to continue their title charge in Ligue 1, with Bradley Barcola, Marquinhos, Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue on target.

All four of PSG’s goals came in the first half, as they made it 10 wins on the spin in all competitions.

Luis Enrique’s team have not suffered a defeat since losing to Bayern Munich in November, but they face their biggest test of the season when they take on Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday in the first leg of their last-16 tie.

“It’s the best first half of the season,” Luis Enrique told reporters.

“Now we have to think about the two games against Liverpool, think about recovering and be ambitious.

“They’re the most in-form team in Europe, both in terms of results and the way they play. It could have been a Champions League final, so we’re going to try and play to our strengths.”

Days like this! #PSGLOSC pic.twitter.com/5oyl6JCMaU

— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) March 1, 2025

Premier League leaders Liverpool topped the table in the league phase of the Champions League, while PSG finished 15th and beat Brest in the playoffs to reach the round of 16.

PSG and Liverpool met twice in 2018 in the Champions League’s group stage, with both teams winning at home.

Opta’s supercomputer makes Liverpool the favourites to progress from the tie, at 60%. PSG came out on top over the two legs in 40% of the model’s simulations.

“We’re not going to change much. [Saturday’s game] was a test, Liverpool and Lille have similar things. We put them under such pressure that they could no longer play from the back, they had to play long,” Luis Enrique added.

“It will be different, it will be very complicated of course, but we are in the best period of the season. We’re going to play against the best team in Europe, who qualified brilliantly.

“But it’s not in our mentality to speculate, protect ourselves, stay defensive, we’re going to attack and we’re going to try to turn that in our favour.”