'Won't put up with it' - PSG controversy erupts as manager fumes ahead of Liverpool tie
Lens boss Pierre Sage has dismissed suggestions that their Ligue 1 encounter with Paris Saint-Germain could be postponed ahead of their Champions League tie with Liverpool. The Reds meet the European title holders in the quarter-finals next month, and there were claims that Luis Enrique's team could have a potential title-deciding fixture against Lens moved to assist their European preparations.
The Parisians are scheduled to face Lens, who trail by just a point, in a crucial top-of-the-table meeting on April 11, squeezed between the two quarter-final legs with the Reds.
Following PSG's comfortable victory over Chelsea, speculation arose about whether the clash between France's leading two clubs would be rearranged to help the league leaders' bid to retain their Champions League trophy.
Nevertheless, the Lens manager has expressed his opposition to the idea, with the final decision resting with the LFP (French Professional Football League).
Sage said: "We don't agree (with a postponement). There is only one date and we don't have to put up with that. We played a Coupe de France match on a Thursday and had to play against Metz on Sunday," reports the Liverpool Echo.
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"I understand that having more rest allows you to perform better, but it is a club that is performing well, who are in a lot of competitions, so they know the constraints."
Lens briefly went top this weekend following their resounding 5-1 victory over Angers, but PSG reclaimed their position at the pinnacle of French football with a 4-0 triumph away at Nice.
However, the Parisiens' match wasn't without issues as midfielders Senny Mayulu and Kang-in Lee were both compelled to leave the pitch due to injuries. The duo's fitness concerns have left PSG anxious, especially with Bradley Barcola already sidelined for several weeks due to a sprained ankle.
The fixture, set for April 11, could be crucial in the title race as the Blood and Gold persist in their quest to clinch the league for the first time since 1998. PSG's trip to the Stade Bollaert-Delelis will occur during a critical period for them, but Lens have suffered only two defeats at home all season, securing victories in the other 14 matches.
Liverpool, on the other hand, have entered the international break once more, nursing their wounds after another lacklustre performance. The Reds succumbed to defeat at the AMEX Stadium as Danny Welbeck's brace jeopardised their Champions League aspirations.
Arne Slot's team could have climbed into the top four for the first time since December had Aston Villa played on Sunday.
With victories for Manchester United and Villa, Liverpool now find themselves five points adrift of the top four in fifth – just one point ahead of Chelsea in sixth and three points clear of Brentford and Everton.
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