Luis Enrique wary of ‘trap’ against Liverpool in Champions League tie

The former Barcelona coach spoke to the media from Anfield and said that PSG must approach the Champions League second leg in the same manner it does for every game

Luis Enrique has warned that Paris Saint-Germain could fall into a “trap” of approaching Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool with too much confidence, and feels his side will have to suffer at Anfield.

The European champions travel to Merseyside with a 2-0 lead from the quarter-final first leg at the Parc des Princes, and given the nature of the one-sided first leg, few expect Liverpool to overturn the two-goal deficit.

Yet European nights at Anfield have so often thrown up dramatic nights over the years. All four speakers in Monday’s press conferences were asked about the significance of the home crowd ahead of the Champions League tie.

Arne Slot’s side was also the closest to eliminating PSG last season en route to winning the competition, and Enrique is taking nothing for granted ahead of the second leg.

“Well, this is the real difficulty in this game. This could be a trap.

“People say you were much better than the opposition. That might be the case, I don’t know. The details can change so quickly. So you need to be really careful.

“What I do think you need to do is prepare this game like you do in other games.

“That’s what we have always done. Obviously, they are going to have to try and attack and try and score. I know we will encounter difficulties.

“It is going to be difficult. If you analyze the games that we played last year, it was similar in terms of the conditions. In the second leg it was so difficult.

“It is difficult have control when they press all the time. They need to score goals and they need to take risks, and there will be spaces.

“It is only a narrow lead, but we are ready to overcome difficulties. I hope they don’t create too many problems, but they will and we need to be ready. I’m sure we will be ready but I’m sure we will suffer.”

Asked whether he expects the start at Anfield to be significant, given the intensity of the crowd, Enrique replied: “Yeah sure it’s important. In today’s football, the whole result can change in five minutes and the complexion of a game.

“Everything can change in five minutes whether you score or concede an early goal. It is important to start off the game well but it’s not only that.”