PSG manager Thomas Tuchel has provided a positive update on the fitness of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, stating that he believes the pair should be available to face Liverpool next Wednesday.
Both Neymar and Mbappe limped off with injury issues in the first half of their respective international friendlies for Brazil and France on Tuesday night.
Neymar and Mbappe fitness worries – The latest
1. On Wednesday, PSG confirmed that Neymar had suffered a right adductor strain, with Mbappe injuring his shoulder.
2. Brazil club doctor said Neymar had ‘felt discomfort’ but went on to claim that the issue was not serious.
3. Mbappe was pictured on the bench for the second half of France’s win over Uruguay, suggesting his problem was not serious either.
4. Thomas Tuchel says neither player will be risked in PSG’s league clash with Toulouse on Saturday and believes both have a good chance of playing against Liverpool.
5. The PSG pair have 26 goals between them already this season.
PSG know that a defeat to Liverpool at the Parc des Princes next week could see them eliminated from the Champions League.
Tuchel’s side were beaten in the first clash between the two sides at Anfield in September, with Roberto Firmino netting a late winner. Mbappe scored in that game and both he and Neymar are arguably PSG’s most important players.
Tuchel has confirmed that neither player will feature against Toulouse but says there is every chance the pair will be fit to take part next Wednesday.
“With Ney and Kylian, right now, the good thing is that it’s not very, very serious,” the PSG boss told reporters on Friday.
“But we do not take risks for tomorrow.
“They will not play, but there is the possibility that they play against Liverpool, it’s possible.
“I think – and this is my opinion, I spoke with the doctor and the players – I think they can play.”
PSG have made a faultless start to their Ligue 1 campaign, winning all 13 of their fixtures so far.
Champions League permutations for PSG, Liverpool and Napoli
Group C is arguably the most tightly contested group in the Champions League this season, with all four teams still able to qualify for the knockout stages with two games remaining.
The next set of fixtures will see PSG host Liverpool, whilst Napoli will play Red Star Belgrade at home.
Groups A-D
Who will qualify? 🤔A ________ & ________
B ________ & ________
C ________ & ________
D ________ & ________#UCL pic.twitter.com/pMHa2rjbKu— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 14, 2018
Liverpool have already played Red Star twice, winning one and losing the other of their fixtures against the Serbian champions.
That means they face an uphill struggle to qualify now, but if they beat PSG in Paris next Wednesday and Red Star fail to beat Napoli, the Reds will have confirmed their qualification. Liverpool can also qualify with a victory by at least two goals against Napoli at Anfield next month.
If PSG manage to avoid defeat against Liverpool then they are still very much in the hunt for qualification.
Napoli know that a victory over Red Star would see them through if PSG do not beat Liverpool, whilst Red Star will be eliminated if they lose to Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
The post Neymar and Mbappe could make PSG v Liverpool, says Thomas Tuchel appeared first on Squawka News.
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