Luis Enrique labels PSG 'very motivated' for Liverpool clash but plays down favourites talk

[p]The English ‌champions, fifth in the Premier League, have suffered 15 defeats across all ‌competitions this season - their most in a single campaign ‌since losing 18 matches in 2014/15.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/psg/CjhkPw0k/"]PSG[/a], meanwhile, lead Ligue 1 ‌and are well placed to defend their Champions League ‌crown.[/p][p][b]"It's difficult to talk about [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/liverpool/lId4TMwf/"]Liverpool[/a]," [/b]Luis Enrique told reporters on Tuesday. "Liverpool manager Arne Slot speaks very well about them.[/p][p][b]"My view is ‌that it's both the same team and ⁠a different team. Everyone ‌is trying to work out who the favourites are, but in ​this sort of match, that means nothing. It will be tough for both teams.[/b][/p][embed guid="1d2c6b53-01a1-4c6e-966d-7192d4debe8e" url="https://x.com/PSG_English/status/2041481878515970479" social-type="twitter" /][p]"Showing that we're ​still in the running every year and playing against Liverpool is always a positive thing.[/p][p][b]"We want to reach ⁠the semi-finals; we know ​how difficult it will be, but we're very motivated."[/b][/p][p]The tie is a repeat of last season's round-of-16 meeting, when PSG knocked Liverpool out on penalties.[/p][p][b]"Last year, everyone said it was ‌Liverpool, and PSG went through,"[/b] Spaniard Luis Enrique said.[/p][image alt="Recent meetings between the sides" id="048d8884-954a-4d95-936b-ace54de8bee7" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="ef431771-390f-413d-b796-51394b93d79a" original-width="1200" original-height="1200" /][p]This time, it will also see Liverpool striker [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ekitike-hugo/ltVXPlJU/"]Hugo Ekitike[/a] come up against his former club.[/p][p]The 23-year-old France international has enjoyed an impressive first season in England, scoring 17 goals and providing six assists in 43 appearances.[/p][p]Ekitike spent a brief spell at PSG between 2023 and 2024 but found minutes hard to come by in a squad featuring ‌Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.[/p][p][b]"After leaving here, he did ​very well in Germany and at Liverpool," [/b]Luis Enrique ‌added. "He's now an international player and has made great progress. He was very young when he was here; he's improved a lot."[/p][p]Spanish midfielder [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ruiz-fabian/l6HSH2Uo/"]Fabian Ruiz[/a] did not train with the squad on Monday due to ⁠injury, but French winger [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/barcola-bradley/lhGD3RgS/"]⁠Bradley Barcola[/a] did following ‌an ankle problem.[/p][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/liverpool-lId4TMwf/psg-CjhkPw0k/?mid=jqNLK06s"]Follow the first leg between PSG and Liverpool here.[/a][/b][/p]