Liverpool news: Arne Slot gets huge boost amid Virgil van Dijk warning over PSG

Virgil van Dijk expects an even bigger test from PSG in tonight’s second leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie but Arne Slot could welcome back a key player from injury

The Premier League title is all but secured. Now Liverpool look to ensure they remain in the hunt for another Champions League with tonight’s round of 16 second leg versus Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield, while the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United follows on Sunday.

And captain Virgil van Dijk has made it clear that PSG, whom the Reds were fortunate to defeat 1-0 in the French capital last week, could put up an even greater challenge as they look to overturn their deficit.

But there is some positive news on the injury front for Arne Slot with Cody Gakpo back in training after an ankle injury, while off the pitch the club have announced a £300m kit deal with adidas that features a twist.

Here are the big stories from Anfield early in a huge week for Liverpool.

Gakpo return

The Netherlands forward has not started any of the past six games, since the dramatic 2-2 derby draw against Everton at Goodison Park, and is recovering from an ankle injury.

But his potential availability comes as a huge boost to Arne Slot as the Reds looks to protect a hard-earned 1-0 lead from last week’s initial meeting before facing Newcastle United in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final at Wembley.

PSG threatened Liverpool more than any other opponent this season with goalkeeper Alisson Becker producing what he described as the best performance of his career.

But Gakpo may be ok to feature.

Van Dijk warning

Virgil van Dijk has warned Paris Saint-Germain could be even more dangerous now they’re chasing a lead against Liverpool.

The Reds head into the second leg of the Champions League last-16 tie with a one-goal advantage after Harvey Elliott’s late winner in Paris last week. That came after Liverpool keeper Alisson made nine saves as PSG dominated the game for almost 90 minutes but couldn’t score.

Van Dijk admits the Reds must be wary of the hurting PSG side coming to Anfield. He said: “I think they are an outstanding team, a fantastic team, you can see the work rate they put in. We obviously had a debrief after the game about it and you could see them, if they lost the ball, pressing all of them together and running all together.”

Adidas deal – and a delay

Liverpool have agreed a £300m kit deal with adidas but the Premier League champions in waiting will wear their current Nike strip for much of this summer’s pre-season.

That is because their adidas deal does not kick in until August 1, meaning Arne Slot ’s charges will not be unveiling their new strips as they toast what is beginning to feel like an inevitable title win.

It has become the norm for clubs to debut their new kits at the end of the preceding season, normally in their final home game. But Nike will continue to have their swoosh in all the celebration images – plus the club’s pre-season tour this summer.

The Nike deal was worth £30m plus 20 per cent of merchandise sales, which is worth an additional £30m, but the adidas deal has been described as a “significant” increase.

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