This season's UEFA Champions League gets underway Tuesday night, and the choice matches include Liverpool hosting Paris Saint Germain (PSG) in Group C.
Both teams have won all five of their domestic games so far this campaign, but the English side could be at a disadvantage against the French visitors, as star striker Roberto Firmino might not play as he is recovering from a scratched eye.
Liverpool went through their final training session ahead of Tuesday evening's UEFA Champions League opener without him.
The forward was sent to a hospital in London after his clash with Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Vertonghen late in the Reds 2-1 EPL victory at Wembley Stadium over the weekend. Manager Jurgen Klopp is holding out hope that the Brazilian can play, but his availability is likely to be a game time call.
"Yeah, if we play today, no chance, but we all hope that there's a chance until tomorrow, so it's ... first of all that's ... that's good news that it will be close to the game, because when I think everybody, we saw the picture after the game," said Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
"We were all shocked, and when we had first-time contact with him again after he was in hospital, it was a big relief for all of us."
"So it's painful ... it's ... nobody wants to have that, nobody needs that, but he will be fine. We only don't know exactly when, so another 30 hours round about to endure until the game, and so we will see what develops." Klopp added.
Roberto Firmino of Liverpool leaves the game after an injury in the face during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool. /VCG Photo
The Parisians have never advanced beyond the quarter-finals of Europe's top club competition, but with a line-up featuring Brazil captain Neymar and 2018 FIFA World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe, the squad from the French capital has high hopes of finally making a deeper run at the coveted continental crown.
Thomas Tuchel's team heads to Anfield after thrashing Saint Etienne 4-0 to kick off the weekend, their fifth win in five Ligue 1 matches this season. In Group B, Inter Milan will mark their return to the tournament after a six-year absence by welcoming Spurs to the San Siro. This is the Nerazzurri's 12th appearance in the competition, and they made it back by finishing fourth in Serie A last campaign.
The Italian side and their English guests have split four previous meetings, and coach Luciano Spalletti knows dealing with a side led by the World Cup's Golden Boot winner, Harry Kane, will be anything but an easy task.
Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur (R) takes part during the Tottenham Hotspur training session at San Siro Stadium. /VCG photo
"We are playing at home, and we have to make the most of that advantage, and look to control possession. They have the technical and physical qualities, and they are a strong team, and of course, they have Harry Kane," said Luciano Spalletti.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino is confident that Kane will soon break out of a mini-slump, after captaining the Three Lions to fourth place at this summer's soccer showpiece in Russia.
The Champions League stage could be just what the two-time EPL scoring leader needs to find his form, as he netted his previous five continental goals in Italy, with the most recent coming in a 2-all draw at Juventus, in last spring's round of 16.
The schedule also includes Spanish giants Barcelona taking on Dutch standard bearers PSV Eindhoven in Group B, fellow La Liga stalwarts Atletico Madrid clashing with French contenders Monaco while Belgium's Brugge and Borussia Dortmund of Germany do likewise in Group A, Serbian standouts Red Star Belgrade meeting Serie A's Napoli in Group C, while Turkey's Galatasary tangle with Lokomotiv Moscow from Russia and Bungesliga crew Schalke host Portugal's Porto in Group D.