Thomas Tuchel will not be risking the superstar duo in Ligue 1 action this weekend, after seeing them pick up injuries, but could have them in Europe
Untimely injuries picked up by Neymar and Kylian Mbappe are considered to be “not very serious”, with Paris Saint-Germain hoping to have the pair involved against Liverpool in the Champions League.
The Ligue 1 title holders saw their plans rocked during the international break when two superstar performers suffered knocks while away with their respective countries.
Neymar lasted just eight minutes of Brazil’s friendly clash with Cameroon before being withdrawn with “a right adductor strain”, while Mbappe was left with “a bruised right shoulder” half-an-hour into France’s meeting with Uruguay.
Initial concerns regarding the severity of the ailments were eased at the time, with Neymar taking to social media to declare his problem to be “nothing serious”, while Didier Deschamps said Mbappe’s injury was “no particular concern”.
PSG later revealed that they would be assessing their attacking duo and waiting 48 hours before making a call on their fitness.
Thomas Tuchel has now revealed that, while the pair will not be involved against Toulouse on Saturday, they could figure in a crunch European home date with Liverpool on Wednesday.
He said: “With Ney and Kylian, right now, the good thing is that it’s not very, very serious.
“But we do not take risks for tomorrow.
“They will not play, but there is the possibility that they play against Liverpool, it’s possible.
“I think – and this is my opinion, I spoke with the doctor and the players – I think they can play.”
That news comes as welcome relief to PSG followers, who are aware of the importance being placed on a midweek meeting with Jurgen Klopp’s Reds.
A faultless start has been made to the defence of the club’s Ligue 1 crown, with no points dropped through 13 fixtures.
The absence of Neymar and Mbappe should not be felt in domestic competition, but it would be in Europe.
Tuchel’s side currently sit third in their Champions League group, with just two games left in which to reach the last 16.
They are set to travel to Belgrade to take on Red Star in their final Group C outing, so will be desperate to take maximum points from a home date with Liverpool at Parc des Princes.
Having Neymar and Mbappe available to them will aid their cause considerably, with the pair having already recorded 26 goals between them this season.
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