The curse of the international break may have struck for Paris Saint-Germain, with two of their key players suffering injuries in action on Tuesday.
Liverpool head to Parc des Princes next Wednesday night for their penultimate game in Group C of the Champions League, with victory enough to secure passage to the last 16.
Having beat the Ligue 1 leaders 3-2 at Anfield back in September, the Reds can be confident of another result, though they did suffer a 2-0 defeat to Red Star last time out.
While Jurgen Klopp‘s squad looks to have returned from the international break unscathed, however, PSG could face a massive double injury blow.
Kylian Mbappe and Neymar were forced off in the first half of France’s 1-0 win over Uruguay and Brazil’s 1-0 victory over Cameroon respectively.
After rushing through on goal Mbappe jumped over ‘keeper Martin Campana but landed awkwardly on his right shoulder, with Florian Thauvin taking his place on 36 minutes.
“He has a sore shoulder, he’s fallen badly,” Deschamps said, according to Sky Sports.
“He will have to see after with the medical staff. I hope it’s not bad.”
And Neymar was replaced by Richarlison just eight minutes into Brazil’s friendly in Milton Keynes after picking up an adductor muscle problem while attempting a shot.
Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar explained after the game that it was “not a serious injury,” while Neymar reflected this in a post on Instagram.
But the proximity of both injuries will be a concern to Thomas Tuchel ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Paris on November 28.
Neymar and Mbappe are, undoubtedly, two of PSG’s most important players, and though Tuchel would certainly have options in their absence—such as Julian Draxler—missing them would be a setback.
Conversely, for Liverpool it would be a lift, particularly as the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino all return to Melwood without fitness issues.
PSG are next in action on Saturday afternoon, when they take on 15th-placed Toulouse at home, and it is highly likely Tuchel would have considered rotation for this game regardless.
Prior to the reverse fixture at Anfield, the German opted to leave out Neymar as a precaution as his side thrashed Saint-Etienne 4-0, with Mbappe suspended.
Marquinhos was also rested for that victory, with Tuchel making three changes for the trip to Merseyside, ultimately witnessing a limp display.
It could well be that these minor injuries are relieved by this time next week, but either way Liverpool cannot underestimate PSG as they aim to book their place in the knockout stages.
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