UCL: We are not favourites against Liverpool — PSG boss Luis Enrique

The tie is a rematch of last season’s round-of-16 clash, when PSG, the eventual champions, knocked out Liverpool on penalties after a dramatic 1-1 aggregate scoreline.

Liverpool will be desperate for revenge after that painful exit, which ended their European campaign while PSG went on to lift the trophy.

Despite PSG’s strong domestic form, where they lead Ligue 1 comfortably and remain on course to defend their Champions League crown, Enrique refused to accept the favourites tag.

“A manager’s job is to find a way to get good results. Every year is different from the last, and we can’t operate in the same way as last year,” he said.

“What I hope for most is to maintain the team’s identity so that we can play good football and enjoy the competition in the Champions League.

“It doesn’t matter who the favourites are, or who you rate as favourites. In matches like this, against teams like this, it’s impossible to pick a favourite.”He continued:

“I don’t think my team is the clear favourite. If you recall last year, everyone said Liverpool were the clear favourites, yet Paris Saint-Germain went through. As far as I’m concerned, there is no clear favourite.

“Liverpool are a top-class side, and believing you are the clear favourites is the quickest way to fall into a trap and ruin things.”

The comments reflect Enrique’s cautious approach as defending champions. PSG advanced past Chelsea with an emphatic aggregate victory in the last 16, but the manager knows that knockout ties at this stage demand maximum focus and respect for the opponent.

Liverpool, currently fifth in the Premier League, will travel to Paris motivated to avenge last year’s elimination and keep their Champions League hopes alive.