HEAD-TO-HEAD

Neymar, Mbappe and Cavani

Neymar, from Barcelona, and Kylian Mbappe, from Monaco, joined PSG last summer. Cavani was already there and was the reigning Ligue 1 Player of the Year, having struck 49 goals in 2016-17.

Cavani generally takes up a central role, often the target for Mbappe’s crosses and Neymar’s passes, as they attack from wider positions.

They also benefit from the Uruguayan dragging markers towards him. Last season, they trio scored five goals between them in 7-1 walloping of Celtic, the fourth goal set up by a Neymar free-kick, a clever Cavani flick and Mbappe’s finish.

Salah, Mane and Firmino

Firmino was signed from Hoffenheim in 2015. Twelve months later, Mane arrived from Southampton, and last summer Mohamed Salah joined from Roma.

Essentially, Mane and Salah flank Firmino. But fluid movement is the key, with the busy Firmino often deeper than an orthodox No 9, while Salah and Mane, both exceptionally fast, spearhead counter-attacks.

Liverpool’s blitz of Manchester City in the 2017-18 Champions League featured Firmino and Salah combining for the opening goal, and Firmino feeding the ball to Salah who crossed for Mane to head the third.

Firmino and Salah scored in the second leg for a 5-1 aggregate victory.