Arne Slot relishing challenge Paris Saint-Germain will pose Liverpool

Liverpool manager Arne Slot described Paris Saint-Germain as one of the strongest teams in Europe ahead of their highly anticipated Champions League last-16 first leg in France tonight (Live on RTÉ2/Player from 7.30pm).

The Premier League leaders, who topped the Champions League table after the new eight-game league phase, travel to in-form PSG with the task of handing the French champions their first defeat since November.

Slot said that Liverpool had to embrace big games, and that he was looking forward to facing a team with a similar style to his own.

"We could only face PSG or Benfica and anyone who watches football knows we would probably have preferred to face Benfica," the Reds boss said.

"If you play for Liverpool, you want to play in the big games. We have to accept the draw and both teams have a tough fixture.

"PSG is one of the strongest teams in Europe, I think everyone agrees. [The tie] could happen in the old format too.

"It is a great fixture to look forward to. Both teams have scored a lot of goals, like to have the ball. There are a lot of similarities."

Forward Cody Gakpo remains a significant doubt for the match having missed training after picking up a knock, although he has travelled with the team to give him a chance to prove his fitness.

The Netherlands international, Liverpool's second-highest scorer this season, has been struggling with an ankle problem which has restricted him to just 39 minutes in two substitute appearances in the last four matches.

"He was close to being ready to play again but unfortunately yesterday he had to block a shot and he felt a bit of pain again," said Slot.

"We brought him with us to judge how if he can be part of the squad but it will be a close call."

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