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The big talking points ahead of the Champions League's return

Liverpool, Barcelona and Juventus are in European action this week.

The Champions League returns this week with a number of intriguing round of 16 ties set to get under way.

Liverpool, who won the competition back in 2019, are in action along with last season's runners-up Paris St Germain.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some of the talking points before the first legs begin.

Chance for Liverpool to channel focus?

Jurgen Klopp conceded defeat in the Reds' Premier League title defence on Saturday and the Champions League is their only other opportunity to finish the season with silverware. The draw was not kind, pitting them against RB Leipzig, but the tournament represents a chance for the 2019 winners to regain a purpose. If they can produce a strong display in Budapest – with German Government coronavirus regulations not allowing Klopp's side to travel to the country – it could provide the lift they need to keep fighting until the end.

Another opportunity for Nagelsmann to catch the eye

Julian Nagelsmann has already knocked Manchester United out of the competition this season
Julian Nagelsmann has already knocked Manchester United out of the competition this season (Nick Potts/PA)

On the other side of the coin, RB Leipzig and their highly-rated manager Julian Nagelsmann will view this week's first-leg tie as another chance to make a mark. After they reached the last four of the Champions League last August, the once-dubbed 'Baby Mourinho' will be out to show it was no flash in the pan. The 33-year-old has various suitors and more success over an English club, after they essentially knocked out Manchester United back in December, will do his growing CV no harm.

Neymar-less PSG visit Barca

When the round of 16 draw put Paris St Germain and Barcelona together, one of the many interesting backdrops was Neymar returning to his old club. A groin injury, the latest in a long line of fitness issues, will rule him out of the first meeting and most likely the second too in an obvious blow to new boss Mauricio Pochettino. Missing the Brazilian, the chances of the ex-Tottenham manager being able to clinch a landmark result early on in his reign have taken a hit.

Ronaldo vs Pepe

Former Real Madrid team-mates and current international colleagues Pepe and Cristiano Ronaldo will do battle at the Estadio do Dragao on Wednesday as Juventus visit Porto. Together the pair won the competition on multiple occasions during their time at the Bernabeu and Juventus striker Ronaldo will be desperate to add a sixth European crown to his record. While good friends off the pitch, this week's clash will no doubt be a fierce contest given their hunger to win.

Sevilla out to improve Champions League record

While Sevilla are Europa League specialists, the elite European competition has proved more tricky for them to crack. Only once in the last six decades have they made it to the quarter-finals but they have a great opportunity this year. In superb form over the last two months and up against an inconsistent Borussia Dortmund side, Julen Lopetegui will aim to continue to rebuild his career after a chastening spell at Real Madrid.

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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool18143145172845
2Arsenal20117239182140
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
4Chelsea20106439241536
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2010463627934
7Bournemouth209653023733
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham197842825329
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
11Brentford208393835327
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham206592439-1523
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd196492126-522
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Ipswich TownIpswich1936101833-1515
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326


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