PSG rest Neymar ahead of Liverpool clash

The Brazil international will sit out Friday’s clash with Saint-Etienne ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League opener at Anfield

Neymar has been rested for Paris Saint-Germain’s clash with Saint-Etienne on Friday ahead of their Champions League date with Liverpool.

PSG coach Thomas Tuchel said in his pre-match news conference on Thursday that he was toying with the idea of leaving Neymar out of the squad following the international break.

Neymar started – and scored in – both of Brazil’s friendlies against United States and El Salvador, leaving Tuchel to ponder whether it was worth risking him against Saint-Etienne due to his travels.

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Ultimately, the German has opted to leave Neymar at home to ensure he is completely fresh to face Liverpool at Anfield in their Champions League Group C opener on Tuesday.

However, Neymar’s Brazil team-mates Marquinhos and Thiago Silva have been included in Tuchel’s 19-man squad, while new signings Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting and Juan Bernat are in line for their debuts.

There is also a place for Marco Verratti, who has not featured competitively for the club since the end of March due to a groin injury.

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