A comparison of Mohamed Salah and Ousmane Dembele in anticipation of the UEFA Champions League clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool.

The UEFA Champions League round of 16 has set the stage for a thrilling encounter as Paris Saint-Germain prepares to face Liverpool over two legs. This clash promises to be a spectacle, with both teams in formidable form.

Liverpool, currently dominating the Premier League, will be aiming for their seventh European title. However, they face a significant challenge against a PSG side that is also soaring high, sitting at the summit of Ligue 1. The stakes couldn’t be higher as both clubs look to their star players to make a decisive impact.

At the forefront for Liverpool is Mohamed Salah, who, at 32, shows no signs of slowing down. The Egyptian forward is in sensational form, propelling The Reds towards further glory and positioning himself as a strong contender for this year’s Ballon d’Or. Salah has already netted 30 goals in all competitions this season, a milestone he has reached five times during his eight-year tenure at Anfield.

Meanwhile, across the Channel, Ousmane Dembele is enjoying a renaissance at PSG. After a challenging six-year stint at Barcelona, the Frenchman is finally rediscovering the form that once had him touted as a future superstar during his time at Borussia Dortmund. Dembele has already scored 25 goals this season, surpassing his previous best of 13 during the 2018/19 campaign with Barcelona.

As the first leg approaches at the Parc des Princes, which will be broadcast live on TNT Sports and discovery+, we take a closer look at the performances of these two attacking titans.

In terms of total goals, Dembele is having a career-best season, with 25 goals to his name across all competitions. His manager, Luis Enrique, praised him, stating, “Ousmane is in a huge moment of confidence and he’s now like the PlayStation with the light above him,” following his impressive two-goal display against Stade Brestois.

Salah, on the other hand, has been equally prolific, scoring 30 times this season. While he may not be on track to match his record-breaking debut season tally of 44 goals, he is poised to surpass his second-highest total of 31, achieved in both the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons.

When it comes to assists, Salah’s contributions have been remarkable. He has provided 22 assists in all competitions, eclipsing his previous best of 16 from last season. In an exclusive interview with TNT Sports, Salah expressed his satisfaction, saying, “So far, I think this is my best season because I make the players around me better as well.”

Dembele has also been effective in setting up his teammates, with six assists this season. His best total remains the 20 assists he recorded during his time at Dortmund in the 2016/17 season.

In league play, Salah leads the Premier League scoring charts with 25 goals, five ahead of his nearest rival, Erling Haaland. With ten games remaining, he is well-positioned to claim the Premier League golden boot for a record-equalling fourth time. TNT Sports pundit Joe Cole remarked on Salah’s achievements, stating, “What he’s done in the Premier League, he stands on the shoulders with all the giants.”

Dembele, meanwhile, is making waves in Ligue 1, leading the scoring charts with 18 goals, three ahead of his closest competitor. His recent form has been impressive, with 13 goals in his last nine league matches.

In terms of Champions League performances, Dembele has scored six goals this season, marking his best scoring year in the competition. Salah has netted three times, with his previous best being ten goals during the memorable 2017/18 campaign.

As for assists in the Champions League, Dembele has one to his name this season, while Salah has matched his best tally of four assists, looking to improve on that as the knockout stages progress.

Fans can catch the highly anticipated clash between PSG and Liverpool at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday, March 5. Kick-off is set for 20:00 UK time, with live coverage starting at 19:00 on TNT Sports 1. Subscribers can access TNT Sports through various platforms, including discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.

This encounter promises to be a thrilling showcase of talent, with both Salah and Dembele eager to leave their mark on this prestigious competition.