Luis Enrique shrugs off 'assassins' tag as Paris Saint-Germain head coach eyes another Premier League scalp ahead of Liverpool Champions League tie

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Paris Saint-Germain have developed a habit of vanquishing Premier League rivals having seen off Liverpool, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Chelsea in the past 14 months in the UEFA Champions League. Ahead of facing Liverpool in the quarter-final first leg, live on TNT Sports, head coach Luis Enrique has played down his side's reputation as being "assassins" of English sides.

Highlights: Chelsea capitulate in bruising defeat to ruthless PSG

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Luis Enrique has Liverpool in his sights again - but the Paris Saint-Germain head coach has dismissed any suggestion that his side carry an extra incentive against English opposition, having developed a reputation as serial conquerors of Premier League teams in the UEFA Champions League.

The holders host Arne Slot's men at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday in the first leg of their quarter-final tie - live on TNT Sports and HBO Max - and enter the contest as overwhelming favourites given the Merseysiders' travails this season.

Like last term, PSG were not at their swashbuckling best during the league stage in this season's competition - but the 8-2 dismantling of Chelsea in the round of 16 suggests they are peaking at the right time once more.

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Arsenal and Aston Villa were defeated a year ago as PSG went on to clinch their first Champions League title in Munich, and while Newcastle United did manage a draw in Paris back in January - as they did during the 2023/24 season under Enrique's watch - there is no denying that the defending champions currently have a stranglehold over Premier League opponents.

Liverpool surrendered a first-leg advantage in their last-16 tie just over 12 months ago, but on the eve of their return to the French capital, Enrique believes past history will have no bearing on the result this time.

When asked by TNT Sports' Jules Breach if PSG have become the "assassins" of the Premier League, Enrique responded: "No, not assassins, but we love them because we played against all of them.

"What I have to say is that it's very nice because they are at the highest level that you can imagine, and for us, it's important to show everybody that we're playing our way.

"We try to play attacking football, and Liverpool are a great side with a lot of individual players and a great coach. It's going to be exciting, and we are looking forward to playing that match."

Enrique has watched his Dutch counterpart Slot come under increasing pressure in the lead-up to this week's reunion, with Liverpool currently five points adrift of fourth-placed Aston Villa in the Premier League.

At present, they are reliant on England being granted an additional Champions League spot through being top of the UEFA coefficient table - hardly a cause for celebration, but the bare minimum that Slot must achieve between now and the end of the season.

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Enrique has sympathy for his fellow manager, but believes the expectation is the same at any top European club.

The Spaniard added: "I think it's the same pressure for every team because during the season there are the best moments, bad moments, there are good moments. There are all the things that can affect the team, but it's normal.

"We are between the eight best teams in Europe, which means that we are doing great. I think it's going to be a very difficult match, both legs, and the small details, like always, they are going to be key."

Vitinha: Liverpool's PL struggles won't make difference

PSG's 4-1 shoot-out win at Anfield came at the end of a contest which saw Liverpool average just 38.6% possession.

And as reported by the BBC, Slot's side had 14 fewer shots on target across the two legs - four to 18 - their biggest negative shots-on-target differential in a Champions League knockout stage tie since Opta started recording the data in 2003/04.

Vitinha is wary of the threat Liverpool pose in the quarter-finals

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It was an emphatic response to those who had heavily backed Liverpool to progress after a near-perfect league phase against a side who scrambled over the line, almost via the back door.

Liverpool's continental form has been in stark contrast to the obstacles they have faced domestically this season, and midfielder Vitinha has warned his team-mates to expect another stiff examination, having been cast as outsiders themselves during their previous battle.

"I don't think it will matter a lot," the Portugal international told TNT Sports, when Liverpool's faltering Premier League performances and results were raised.

"Last year, Liverpool were at the top of their form and everyone said that they were favourites. People said we weren't as good, and in the end we qualified.

"So right now, people are saying the opposite, but it doesn't matter in these kinds of Champions League games. It really doesn't matter how you are in the league and at this moment.

"It's really important that we are alert and we give it all, 100%, and we put all the ingredients into the match to get the win."

Stream the Premier League, men’s and women’s FA Cups, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

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