Thrilling Contest in Prospect at Anfield

The 2018/19 UEFA Champions League group stages begin on Tuesday night with a fantastic match to look forward to between Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain.  With the qualification rounds complete, the big European teams enter the fray for what is sure to be a tremendous night of football across the continent.

Liverpool welcome PSG to Anfield hoping to go one step further than they did last season. Under the guidance of Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool reached the Champions League final only to lose the match to Real Madrid.

Many onlookers argued Liverpool had it easy in the tournament, missing out many of the big teams on their path to the final.  However, the same cannot be said about this game and Liverpool know they face a genuine threat in PSG.

Trends show Liverpool have made a great start to the season, winning each of their five Premier League games.  The away win at Tottenham Hotspur on the weekend was a sign of their intent to win the title this season.

Liverpool are undefeated in their last twelve matches at Anfield in all competitions and the last time they lost was in the FA Cup back in January.  In the Champions League, trends show Liverpool are undefeated on home soil in their last eight and they scored 24 goals across seven home games last season, averaging 3.42 goals per game.

PSG also have a 100% record in their domestic league and sit top of Ligue 1 with 15 points to their name, 5 points clear of the teams below them in the table.

While Liverpool are renowned for their all action, attacking football, PSG have outscored them so far this season.  Trends show PSG have scored 17 goals in their five Ligue 1 games in comparison to the 11 goals scored by Liverpool in the same number of matches.

However, PSG have lost their last three Champions League games, two of which came away from home.  They lost 3-1 at Bayern Munich in the group stages and 3-1 at Real Madrid in the Round of 16 last season.  Away form in the competition is not great, having won two of their last six away Champions League matches.

Trends show PSG have scored in each of their last eight away Champions League games.

Team news and Liverpool could be without Roberto Firmino after the striker suffered a nasty looking eye injury on the weekend.  Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren are unlikely to play any part and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain continues his recovery.

PSG travel to Merseyside with potential problems in the full-back position.  Dani Alves has been ruled out while Layvin Kurzawa is a doubt.  Kylian Mbappe will be fresh having missed the Ligue 1 game on the weekend due to suspension.

This is the pick of the matches in the first round of the Champions League group stages.  Both teams will be expecting to score goals but with such a strong home record, Liverpool should come through to take maximum points.