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As Champions League football marks a return this week, Anfield braces for a prolific encounter as Liverpool host fellow title hopefuls PSG in what's set to be the first official meeting between the sides.
Both teams are rank outsiders in the competition, but boast an inimitable attacking unit that struck an staggering 178 times last term. So the fixture doesn't only carry a breath of fresh air around it, but also promises plenty of goals in a star-studded affair. Additionally, it's a clash of two managers who've crossed path several times before, as Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel know each other very well (and both managed Dortmund before).
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So while there's a whole raft of fixtures on the inaugural day on Tuesday, this one's going to be the pick of the bunch. Here's how Liverpool and PSG would stack up in a combined XI of best players from the current roster.
Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker
The Brazilian truly shot to fame for his heroics with AS Roma last season, before replicating some of it with the Seleccao at the World Cup. The Reds instantly found in him the panacea to their goalkeeping woes, and jumped at the prospect of acquiring him. And now, five games into his new tenure, has already registered three cleansheets.
His goalkeeping nous however, would be put to a sterner test here against his pal Neymar and co. as Becker readies for only his second season in the competition. His first, that ended with a semi-final exit, saw him beaten 19 times in 12 appearances! But in all honesty, that was down to the grossly shambolic Giallorossi backline.
The 25-year old has the potential to be a footballing great, and has made 12 saves in the Premier League already. The Kopites would be intrigued to see how he braves this PSG-shaped storm.
Right-back: Trent Alexander-Arnold
The 19-year old was a revelation for Liverpool last term, coming of age to nail down the right-back spot. His performance in the 5-2 drubbing of AS Roma in the semi-finals particularly, was the highlight of his campaign. The boisterous energy, the buccaneering runs, and the undaunted willingness to take on the attackers, Alexander-Arnold is something special and the Reds would be needing all of it against a formidable PSG outfit.
Centre-back: Virgil Van Dijk
The Dutchman may have had a rocky start to life at Anfield, but eventually went on to justify the hefty price tag with incredible performances and playing an important role in the run-up to the European finals. Van Dijk has visibly beefed up the Liverpool backline with his crucial interceptions and perfectly timed clearances: he averages 5.4 per game this season.
His excellent passing range means Liverpool can comfortably build from the back, whilst he's formidable aerially too. Van Dijk would have his task cut out against the likes of Neymar, Mbappe and Cavani.
Centre-back: Thiago Silva
Dejan Lovren's injury and uncertainty to appear in the Champions League opener has left the door ajar for his PSG counterpart Thiago Silva. Not that the Brazilian is half-shabby, but his credibility has been called into question several times on nights like this. Silva has been terrific for PSG in the league, but often struggles against the mightier sides of the continent.
His performances with the Seleccao at the World Cup too was nothing to write home about, though he did score a goal against Serbia. Silva turns 34 in a week's time, and has little time to resurrect himself.
Left-back: Andrew Robertson
It wouldn't be an overstatement to suggest Liverpool boast some of the best wing-backs in the Premier League. Whilst Alexander-Arnold runs the tings proper from the right, Robertson works his magic from the left. The Scottish fullback highly impressed in his debut campaign last term with his attacking overlap, making 5 assists and 19 key passes in the Premier League. This time, in 5 appearances, he's already helped with two goals and averages more key passes then any fullback in the competition.
That isn't all Robertson does, as he also carries out defensive duties with aplomb and his current stats say he makes over 3 tackles per game, which is the fifth best figure among defenders to play all five games so far. Seldom do you find a fullback as versatile as this, and Robertson could once again play a crucial in the campaign.
Defensive midfield: Adrian Rabiot
In a team as stellar as PSG, Rabiot is one of the lesser popular names, but when it comes to the team-sheet, he might be one of the really important ones. The Frenchman was a very much improved player during the first-half of last season, even scoring at the Santiago Bernabeu in the last-16 Champions League game to Real Madrid. But he witnessed a precipitous decline in form thereafter and eventually missed the flight to Russia where his side clinched the World Cup.
Now in the new season, everything's on song again as Rabiot is off to a flyer. Defensively sound, the 24-year old averages 3.4 tackles and almost 2 clearances per game. Additionally, his penchant to drive forward at every opportunity has also seen him bag a goal in the league and also make a successful dribble attempt. His road to international resurrection might just begin from here, this game.
Right attacking midfielder: Mohamed Salah
We were at a loss of words for Salah last term, for such was his prowess in front of goal, striking it left, right and centre. Whilst the new campaign hasn't got off to as bright a start - he's scored just twice in 5 games - it might be just a matter of time before he starts firing at all the cylinders again.
The Egyptian sensation struck 10 times in the competition last season, including 4 in the latter stages against Manchester City and former side AS Roma to help progress to their first finals in 11 years, before it all ended in tears for him after an on-field skirmish with Sergio Ramos in the finals. However, the road to redemption starts from here.
The No.10: Neymar
New PSG manager Thomas Tuchel is definitely trying out new formations, and the current one he's enjoying with is the 3-4-1-2 that sees Neymar operate from behind the strike duo of Cavani and Mbappe. It's a very new role for him, but the Brazilian ace has taken to it like a fish to water. In fact, he remains just as prolific as ever with 4 goals and an assist in four games so far. Not to mention he leads the Ligue 1 scoring charts too.
Many feared the new position would see his goal count take a hit, but not only has that theory been quashed, but Neymar has added new dimensions to his game. He is more creatively involved and the camaraderie between him and the other two attackers has made them deadlier.
Left-attacking midfielder: Sadio Mane
Mane is turning out to be the Salah of 2018/19 for Liverpool, as the Senegalese forward leads the line for his side with four strikes so far. He was one of the few bright spots for the Lions of Teranga at the World Cup, netting one too, and has got off in the new season from where he left last time. He too struck 10 times in the Champions League in his first outing in the competition, including one in the finals against Real Madrid. And on current form, would fancy his chances of getting at least one in this game too.
Striker: Edinson Cavani
The Uruguayan's World Cup campaign came to a premature end with a thigh injury and had to helplessly watch his side go down to eventual champions France in the last 8. However, after successfully recuperating, he's taken no time get back into the business, scoring once in all three league games since returning to the fold.
Cavani has been a different beast ever since Zlatan departed, and unlike the maverick Swede, scores more consistently against the bigger sides of Europe in this competition. Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Arsenal are some of the big sides PSG have drawn in the last two seasons, and Cavani is the only one to have scored against all of them (6 in 8 games). Another big scalp to his name?
Striker: Roberto Firmino
Completing Liverpool's blistering attacking trident, Firmino would once again be the focal point of the attack, though he too is trying to set his mates more these days. He may have scored just twice in 5 appearances so far, but has assisted another two to keep making attacking contributions.
Firmino sustained an eye injury in the recent win over Tottenham Hotspur after Jan Vertonghen appeared to poke a finger in his eye during a duel. And even though he's discharged from the hospital now, doubts remain over his availability. Liverpool fans can hope he makes it to this exciting encounter.
