This mouth-watering clash is a straight shootout between two of Europe’s powerhouse attacks.
Paris Saint-Germain’s front four have it all: the intelligent movement of Edinson Cavani, blistering pace of Kylian Mbappe, Angel di Maria’s opportunism and of course Neymar’s trickery.
Liverpool were the Champions League’s most prolific side last season, plundering a staggering 47 goals. The electric trio of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane all reached double figures.
Neymar and his PSG team-mates will be hoping to put Liverpool to the sword on Tuesday night
Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez will have to produce a flawless display against the Ligue 1 giants
With such formidable front lines, it will be the defences that determine which side comes out on top. Liverpool have already addressed their achilles heel that cost them in the Champions League final by bringing in a top-class goalkeeper in Alisson.
I have written in these pages that Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez have the potential to become one of the Premier League’s greatest centre-back partnerships. This will be their biggest test so far.
Both players are quick and mobile. At times this season they have been able to use their speed to get themselves out of trouble but they cannot rely on pace alone on Tuesday night.
They must be positionally flawless. Step off Neymar or Di Maria and they will shoot on sight. Get caught out of position and Mbappe will be raiding in behind.
For many defenders, facing PSG’s firepower is a frightening prospect but not for Van Dijk and Gomez. They will be relishing the chance to test themselves against the best.
Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino reached double figures last season
TUESDAY’S KEY BATTLES
Joe Gomez vs Edinson Cavani
Few forwards in Europe have better movement than Edinson Cavani.
He reads the flight of the ball like a hawk, is always pulling off the shoulder of the defender and gets into great positions.
One area where Gomez could improve is his marking at set-pieces. Uruguay striker Cavani will be looking to make runs in between Liverpool’s centre halves and Gomez must be on red alert.
Trent Alexander-Arnold vs Neymar
Alexander-Arnold loves to get forward but he will have to defend for his life when Neymar attacks down his flank.
The 19-year-old has already proved he is a fast learner. Last season, he had real trouble dealing with Marcus Rashford when Liverpool lost to Manchester United.
He bounced back from that performance a couple of weeks later by silencing Manchester City winger Leroy Sane. Alexander-Arnold will approach this contest with no fear.
Trent Alexander-Arnold will have to defend for his life against Neymar at Anfield on Tuesday
Sadio Mane vs Thomas Meunier
Dani Alves may be injured but Thomas Meunier, who has come in at right back, was quite magnificent for Belgium at the World Cup.
Meunier has pace to burn but will have his work cut out against Sadio Mane, who has started the season in ruthless form.
The 27-year-old will also have to contend with the marauding runs of Andrew Robertson from left back.
Mohamed Salah vs Stanley N’Soki
Stanley N’Soki has forced his way into Thomas Tuchel’s side this season and it will be fascinating to see if the 19-year-old left back starts on Tuesday night.
Tests do not come much tougher than Mohamed Salah. The Premier League Golden Boot winner comes into this game with a point to prove after not quite clicking yet.
Under the lights at Anfield in a match worthy of a European final, this could well be the night Salah’s season explodes into life.
Stanley N’Soki has forced his way into PSG’s side but tests don’t come tougher than Salah