Paris Saint-Germain are set to make a shock selection for Tuesday’s Champions League showdown against Liverpool by using defender Marquinhos in central midfield, according to RMC.
The French broadcaster claim on their website that that the Brazil centre-back is set for a new role for the French champions due to the absence of the suspended Marco Verratti.
RMC report Marquinhos will play in midfield alongside Adrien Rabiot and Angel Di Maria, behind the front three of Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Edinson Cavani.
PSG XI (4-3-3): Areola – Miller, Silva, Kimpembe, Bernat – Rabiot, Marquinhos, Di Maria – Mbappe, Cavani, Neymar.
OPINION
Were he available for selection, Italy international Verratti would certainly be starting the group stage clash at Anfield. The outstanding midfielder will be a major miss for PSG, who go into the match on a high after demolishing St Etienne 4-0 at the weekend. Marquinhos is certainly a surprise selection to replace Verratti, given that the 29-times Brazil international has spent virtually his entire career in central defence. However, that position is set to be occupied by his countryman Thiago Silva and Presnel Kimpembe against Liverpool. With Thomas Tuchel keen to incorporate his ‘fab four’ of Mbappe, Neymar, Cavani and Di Mario in his XI against the 2017-18 Champions League finalists, he wants to pair Rabiot with a solid anchorman who will protect the defence and help close down the spaces in which Liverpool’s attackers thrive. Marquinhos could be the weak link for the visitors who Jurgen Klopp should target, due to his lack of experience of the position.