Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi is set for a frosty Anfield reception against Liverpool after sparking anger during their meeting last season.
The Moroccan international placed a PSG flag in the centre circle after their penalty shootout victory over the Reds in the Champions League knockout stages 12 months ago. On Tuesday, Hakimi and his teammates return to Merseyside with a two-goal cushion as they look to continue their trophy defence following their triumph in Munich last May.
Arne Slot's side will need to channel their heroics from the 2019 win over Barcelona, where they overturned a three-goal deficit to progress into the final, if they are to have another memorable European night at Anfield.
Liverpool were soundly beaten in the first-leg after goals from Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia fired the Parisiens to within 90 minutes of another semi-final in the elite European competition.
But this Tuesday's showdown with the Premier League champions is the French giants' second visit to L4 in 12 months, following their success in the knockout stages on course to a maiden crown.
Liverpool held a one-goal advantage going into the second leg at home but Ousmane Dembele's strike sent the game to penalties, where Gianluigi Donnarumma saved twice from Curtis Jones and Darwin Nunez to knock Slot's side out of the competition.
It sparked wild scenes from the away side and the travelling contingent from the French giants. However, security were forced to intervene when Hakimi brought a PSG flag from the end housing the jubilant supporters and placing it in the middle of the Anfield pitch.
Members of the pitchside staff were forced to step in and remove the flag from the centre spot but the 27-year-old snatched the flag back, holding it up to the French supporters in a provocative act.
The remaining Liverpool fans left in Anfield voiced their anger at the act from Hakimi and on Tuesday, he is in line to lead PSG out at Anfield once again.
Liverpool have reached the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals where they host Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg on April 14. Fans can watch the game for free with an Amazon Prime subscription or 30-day free trial.
Pressure on the head coach eased slightly after their much-needed 2-0 home win over Fulham on Saturday. Rio Ngumoha and Mohamed Salah were on target in the first-half as Liverpool took a huge stride towards securing Champions League football next season as Aston Villa and Chelsea stuttered.
But Slot will be keen to get one over on Luis Enrique after the successful Spanish head coach has got the better of him in each of their last two meetings.
Speaking after last Wednesday's defeat, the Dutchman made a startling admission that they went into 'survival mode' during the first leg in Paris.
He said: "We were in survival mode for large parts of the game – maybe also in the period of the season we are in. We are in survival mode, to find ways where we can try to make sure that their qualities are not seen that much.
"But that’s really, really hard against this team because last year over here we were in survival mode as well. But, as I said, Paris Saint-Germain was the better team, but we didn’t give up and that is why we still have a chance now because they kept us alive by not scoring a few open chances."
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