The biggest champions league opener will be the battle at Anfield, when Liverpool take on PSG. Some key players will miss this game, and we will look at the stats of some of the players that will feature in the game a d their stats.
Three time UEFA champions league finalist, Gianluigi Buffon will miss out in this encounter. The Former Juventus number one received a red card in last season’s semi final when the Italian team was knocked out of the competition by eventual winner, Real Madrid.
The match was the Ola Lady’s last match of the season, so, Buffon will sit out this as the first of three game suspension. The suspension was for the red card and also the comments Buffon made about the official after the match.
The goalkeeper said “We have to be sensitive in the big moments, otherwise we stay in the stands, the referee could have been with his wife, trying to eat chips and drink a sprite”
Liverpool’s engine room, Roberto Firmino is likely going to miss this tie due to eye injury. The Brazilian was eye-poked buy Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen when Liverpool visited Wembley on Saturday.
The Manager, Jurgen Klopp is expecting the versatile forward to be fit for this match. He said he is a very important player to the team. Teammate, Sadio Mane also confessed to Firmino’s influence, saying “he works like an animal”
Player comparison
Alisson vs Areola
Alisson has been in fine form since joining Liverpool. He has kept three sheets in his five league games, conceding just two, one of which was a gift.
Areola on the other hand did not feature for the French champions in the first 2 games, but has been the first choice since then, and he kept a clean sheet in the last match. He was also in goal for the World champions during the UEFA Nations League.
Virgil van Dijk vs Thiago Silva
This two senior defenders are full of experience, although, Silva has much more. Liverpool’s defense has been rock solid since the arrival of the Dutchman. He makes whoever pairs with him look very good, either Matip, Lovren or Gomez.
Silva is also a brilliant defender with ability to read the ball well and great on the air.
Both Players have similar passing accuracy in the league games they’ve played, 5 each, similar duels won. They will be in command at the back.
Naby Keita vs Marco Verratti
The two players are one of the best midfielders in football now. Both players are strong, physical, have good passing techniques and good tackles.
They will be the heart of the midfield for both clubs. The battle with this two will be intense. It will be a big surprise if both players don’t get booked before 90 minutes.
Sadio Mane vs Kylian Mbappe
Mane has had a good start to the season for Liverpool. He is currently their top scorer so far this season. Mbappe on the other hand has been thriving since the world cup and he is very fast. He can catch any defender off guard with his pace.
Both players have scored 4 league goals each, though Mbappe has played 2 games less, he is serving a three match ban. The world cup winner also have 2 assists to his name.
Salah vs Neymar
Both are arguable the best forward players in the team. Neymar has come under lots of criticism lately for his diving antics, he will want to prove his doubters wrong.
Salah on the other hand has not kicked off the season where he left off. The champions league will be a good place for him to start.
Salah ha 2 goals in 5 games, while Neymar has 4 goals in 4 games. Salah has created 14 chances and 10 for Neymar. one assist each and the Brazilian has a greater conversion rate.
