FeatureLiverpool and Paris Saint-Germain - a brief history

The Reds were paired with the Ligue 1 title-holders in Friday’s draw, which also revealed the winners of the tie will go on to face either Club Brugge or Aston Villa.

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The teams have been rare opponents over the years, first clashing in April 1997 over two legs in the semi-finals of that season’s Cup Winners’ Cup.

Defending that trophy, PSG took a huge step towards another final by claiming a 3-0 home win in leg one, with Liverpool manager Roy Evans lamenting, “It was probably the poorest we have played all season.”

Leonardo had begun the scoring after just 12 minutes at Parc des Princes and the hosts’ advantage was doubled by Benoit Cauet two minutes before half-time.

Evans’ charges steadied somewhat, but allowed Jerome Leroy to score an 84th-minute third goal that left them requiring something approaching a miracle back at Anfield.

To their credit, they came close.

Robbie Fowler’s finish just 11 minutes into the return match was exactly what the Reds needed – but a second goal to ratchet up the pressure proved elusive.

It eventually came via the head of captain Mark Wright with 79 on the clock, though an aggregate equaliser ended up being a step too far. “I could not have asked for any more effort or passion,” said Evans. “We got back our pride tonight.”

It would be more than two decades before they met again competitively.

This time, it was two games within the Champions League’s group stage, the first of which saw Thomas Tuchel’s PSG return to Merseyside in September 2018.

A classic ensued as a Daniel Sturridge header and James Milner penalty in quick succession at the Kop end put Liverpool two up.

Thomas Meunier halved the visitors’ deficit just prior to the interval and Kylian Mbappe wiped it out fully late on – only for substitute Roberto Firmino to swipe in a stoppage-time winner.

There was a similar, though reversed, tale when they renewed rivalries in the French capital. Juan Bernat and Neymar gave the home team a two-goal lead and the visitors got back into the game ahead of the break – Milner again converting a spot-kick.

There was no second-half drama this time, however, as PSG saw out the 2-1 result. Ultimately, it mattered little as Jürgen Klopp’s Reds went on to lift the trophy that season.

Elsewhere, three players have moved to Liverpool from PSG, with Nicolas Anelka the first when he switched to Anfield on loan in late 2001.

Young striker David Ngog took that journey permanently in the summer of 2008, as did defender Mamadou Sakho five years later.

Mohamed Sissoko and Georginio Wijnaldum have also represented both clubs, with the latter signing for PSG following the expiry of his Liverpool deal in 2021.