Paris Saint-Germain vs Liverpool: Suspension Risks Loom Over Key Players Ahead of Champions League Clash Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool are set to face off in the Champions League quarterfinals, with the first leg scheduled for Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at the Parc des Princes. The second leg will take place at Anfield on April 12, 2026, with the winner advancing to the semifinals. The match marks a rematch of the 2025 Champions League round of 16, where Paris Saint-Germain edged out Liverpool on penalties after a 1-1 draw. This time, both teams are aiming to progress further in the competition, with PSG having already defeated Chelsea 8-2 across two legs in the round of 16 and Liverpool eliminating Galatasaray 4-1 in the same stage. The buildup to the match has been marked by concerns over potential suspensions for key players. French football publication Foot Mercato reported that PSG’s duo of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Nuno Mendes is on the brink of missing the Anfield clash. Both players are one yellow card away from a suspension, which could force them to sit out the second leg if they receive a caution during the first match. Kvaratskhelia, a pivotal attacking force for PSG, and Mendes, a defensive stalwart, are critical to the team’s strategy, making their availability a major talking point. Liverpool’s trio of Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, and Curtis Jones also faces similar risks. Van Dijk, the Dutch defender, is a key figure in Liverpool’s backline, while Gravenberch and Jones contribute significantly to the team’s midfield and attacking options. The potential absence of these players could disrupt Liverpool’s balance, especially given the high stakes of the Champions League knockout stages.#liverpool #paris_saint_germain #khvicha_kvaratskhelia #virgil_van_dijk #nuno_mendes
PSG vs Liverpool: A Clash of Titans in the Champions League Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool are set to face off in the Champions League quarter-finals, a matchup that carries significant weight given the French side’s recent dominance over English clubs in the competition. The encounter, scheduled for April 7, 2026, will test Liverpool’s resilience as they navigate a turbulent season, while PSG aims to extend its streak of success against Premier League opponents. The stakes are high for both teams, with Liverpool desperate to end a slump and PSG determined to secure its first Champions League title. The rivalry between the two clubs has been marked by a series of high-stakes encounters, with PSG emerging victorious in their last meeting in the round of 16 during the 2025-26 season. This year’s clash, however, comes at a critical juncture for Liverpool, which has struggled to find form in recent weeks. Since mid-March, the Reds have managed only two wins in seven matches across all competitions, a stark contrast to their earlier season performance. Their recent FA Cup defeat to Manchester City—4-0—has intensified pressure on manager Arne Slot, who faces mounting scrutiny over his team’s inability to secure key victories. PSG, on the other hand, has maintained a commanding position in the competition. The club has eliminated English teams in each of the past two seasons, including a decisive 8-2 aggregate victory over Chelsea in the round of 16. Their current form is equally impressive, with a six-match unbeaten streak in Champions League matches against Premier League clubs. This includes victories over Tottenham, Newcastle, and Chelsea, as well as a 4-0 win over Galatasaray in the round of 16.#liverpool #champions_league #paris_saint_germain #khvicha_kvaratskhelia #florian_wirtz
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia Reflects on Champions League Clash and Career Journey Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the Georgian attacking winger, is preparing for the first leg of the Champions League round of 16, where his Paris Saint-Germain will face Chelsea in a bid to advance to the next round. The match marks a significant opportunity for the player, who aims to defend the European title won by PSG last year and continue the club’s strong performance from the previous season. Kvaratskhelia recently shared insights in a lengthy interview with Le Parisien, discussing his career trajectory, comparisons to legendary players, and his experiences in France. The interview began with reflections on the comparisons he has faced throughout his career, particularly during his time at Napoli. Kvaratskhelia acknowledged the frequent comparisons to George Best, a player he described as “one of the best” and someone whose potential was limited by personal challenges. While he admitted the weight of being compared to Maradona, a name often associated with football history, he expressed pride when fans in Naples dubbed him “Kvaradona.” He noted that the nickname reflected the deep affection fans had for him and highlighted how it touched him personally. Kvaratskhelia also addressed his transfer to Paris Saint-Germain, calling it a pivotal moment in his career. He described the move as a realization of his status as a world-class player, emphasizing that joining a club of PSG’s magnitude was a dream come true. He contrasted his experiences at Napoli with his time in Paris, noting that the latter provided a new level of challenge and opportunity. “When I arrived in Naples, it was already a big step for me,” he said. “But PSG showed me that I had reached a new level.#napoli #champions_league #luis_enrique #paris_saintgermain #khvicha_kvaratskhelia
PSG star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has become the man for Champions League nights While less prominent in the league, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia steps up his game in the Champions League. Statistically, the Georgian is performing even better this season than in 2025, though the overall impression may differ. He was the key figure in PSG's Champions League triumph last season. Kvaratskhelia not only scored in the final against Inter but also tirelessly patrolled the left flank, making countless runs to press, cut off passing lanes, and cover Nuno Mendes’ advances. His arrival in January 2025 from Napoli, where he had already made his mark, changed everything for PSG. Luis Enrique found in him the missing piece of the puzzle. This season, like the rest of the squad, the Georgian looks less comfortable. And when his coach doesn’t place him on the right, preventing him from cutting in on his stronger foot to shoot, Kvaratskhelia remains crucial—especially on European nights. This season, the winger has played 9 matches, starting 8 of them. His record is impressive, with 7 goal involvements (4 goals, 3 assists). His goal against Monaco in the second leg of the play-off was hugely significant, as his team was far from dominant against the Principality’s side. Paradoxically, his overall impact seems more scattered than a year ago. But this is especially true in the league, where he has the same stats as last season (4 goals, 3 assists) despite playing 7 more matches. In 2026, he has scored just once, coming off the bench against OM. That was over a month ago. With 13 starts in 22 appearances and being substituted 8 times, Kvaratskhelia is less decisive on the domestic stage. But it’s in the Champions League where he shows his true effectiveness.#napoli #champions_league #psg #luis_enrique #khvicha_kvaratskhelia
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has emerged as one of Europe’s most dynamic creative players, shining brightly in Paris St-Germain’s Champions League campaign. The 25-year-old Georgia winger, known for his electrifying pace and vision, has been central to PSG’s success this season, contributing seven goals and three assists in nine Champions League matches. His performances have made him the club’s top scorer in the competition and the player with the highest overall goal contributions. As PSG prepares to face Chelsea in the last-16 first leg, Kvaratskhelia’s journey from humble beginnings to elite footballing status offers a compelling narrative of perseverance and talent. Kvaratskhelia’s roots trace back to Tbilisi, where he grew up in a modest Soviet-era apartment block. His family home, unremarkable on the outside, became the foundation of his footballing career. His father, Badri, a former Dinamo Tbilisi player and Azerbaijan international, and his mother, Maka, played pivotal roles in shaping his path. Despite football being his life, the road was not without challenges. As a teenager, Kvaratskhelia faced financial struggles, but his determination led to a breakthrough when he joined Lokomotiv Moscow in 2017. There, he earned his first significant salary, which allowed him to fund his father’s life-saving heart surgery. His rise accelerated in 2019 when Lokomotiv Moscow won the Russian Cup, marking Kvaratskhelia’s first major honor. A subsequent move to Rubin Kazan saw him win the best young player award twice in the Russian league. However, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 forced him to leave the country, prompting him to return to Georgia and sign with Dinamo Batumi. Just months later, in July 2022, he joined Napoli for £9.5m, a move that proved transformative.#napoli #georgia #khvicha_kvaratskhelia #paris_st_germain #dinamo_tbilisi
