The Japan Times - Liverpool showdown brings back 'beautiful memories' for PSG coach Luis Enrique

"When Liverpool were the best team in Europe at the time, I remember Arne Slot speaking very well about PSG, at a time when nobody else was," Luis Enrique said.

"It was very positive for us, a beautiful memory of a classic tie."

PSG won the last-16 tie a year ago 4-1 in a shoot-out after a 1-0 victory at Anfield which cancelled out Liverpool's win by the same scoreline in Paris.

Luis Enrique's team went on to win the Champions League title for the first time in the club's history.

Liverpool, meanwhile, went on to win the Premier League title last season and had been considered the favourites going into that tie.

This time, however, Slot's team do not appear the same fearsome prospect and lie fifth in the Premier League table.

"Are we the favourites now? I always try to weigh things up and control what is being said around the team," added Luis Enrique, speaking ahead of his team's trip to Nice in Ligue 1 on Saturday.

"I have players who are very intelligent and know that there is no favourite and that both sides know how to handle a game like this."

PSG are a point clear of Lens at the top of the French table with a game in hand after their home meeting with Nantes last weekend was postponed.

That call-off was with the intention of allowing the Qatar-backed club extra time to rest in between the two legs of their Champions League last-16 tie against Chelsea, which they won 8-2 on aggregate.

That raises the question of whether PSG might request another postponement for their scheduled trip to domestic title rivals Lens -- that game is set for April 11, in between the two legs of the Liverpool tie.

"I would like to wait for more news," said Luis Enrique. "Every team wants to find the best conditions to play the competition but we can also understand the interests of other teams."

- Chevalier 'deserves' call-up -

Meanwhile, the Spaniard added that he was "very happy" to see Lucas Chevalier named in the latest France squad despite the goalkeeper having lost his place in the PSG team to Matvey Safonov.

"I am very pleased to see him in the squad, he deserves it," Luis Enrique said of the former Lille goalkeeper, who has sat on the bench for PSG's last 11 games since starting in a win at Auxerre on January 23.

"I always try to defend my players and my opinion of Lucas Chevalier's level has not changed in that time," he said of a player who is a back-up to Mike Maignan in the France team.

PSG will be without Joao Neves, Fabian Ruiz and Bradley Barcola due to various fitness issues for the game in Nice.

M.Sugiyama--JT