Liverpool play Paris Saint-Germain this week
The Champions League is returning this week, meaning some of Europe’s biggest and best teams will meet to provide some incredible entertainment. It’s going to be marvellous.
The group stage draw threw up some interesting ties, including Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford with Juventus, but the group of death includes Liverpool, Napoli and Paris Saint-Germain. And Red Star Belgrade.
Liverpool take on PSG in the first round of games, and the referee for this first match between them will be Turkish official Cuneyt Cakir, which looks to be a good omen for Liverpool.
Cakir’s record will have Liverpool fans optimistic, as the only other Liverpool game he has officiated was their win over Borussia Dortmund in the 2015/16 Europa League. Who was Dortmund manager that night? Thomas Tuchel, of course, no manager of PSG.
Cakir’s record in PSG games will also be encouraging for Reds fans, given that in the two PSG matches he’s previously taken charge of, the French champions did not win either.
The first of those games was a Champions League group stage 1-1 draw with Chelsea in 2015, while he also refereed the 3-1 group stage defeat during last season.
At the highest level, it’s a game of fine margins, and fans will take any positive signs they can ahead of the big match this week, which will take place at Anfield on Tuesday night.
