Ruiz Sits Out Liverpool Clash as PSG Brass Lose Patience

Fabian Ruiz will play no part in PSG's Champions League quarter-final showdown with Liverpool, having refused to feature for the Ligue 1 side despite receiving the all-clear from scans on his troublesome knee.

The Spanish midfielder has been sidelined since mid-January with the injury in question. PSG had pencilled him in for a comeback against Toulouse last weekend, only for Ruiz to sit that one out as well. He remains absent from the squad heading to the Parc des Princes for the European tie.

According to L'Equipe de Greg journalist Loic Tanzi, Ruiz's stance centres on his own assessment of his fitness levels rather than any objective medical concern. "He says and repeats that as long as he is in pain, he does not want to play," Tanzi explained. "At the slightest hint of pain, he does not even want to train."

The situation has left some quarters of the club decidedly unimpressed. While manager Luis Enrique has maintained a diplomatic line, insisting the squad remains content with their midfielder's recovery trajectory, Tanzi suggested tensions exist behind the scenes. "Luis Enrique says everyone is happy, but at the club, some people are not. Looking at the scans, there is nothing there anymore."

Enrique himself offered measured comments when asked about Ruiz's availability. "We have to wait for the player, there's no problem," the PSG boss said. "We're still focused on giving the player confidence. Fabian hasn't trained with the group yet. He's made a lot of progress, and we're happy because he seems to be on the right track, but he still needs to do a little more."

The withdrawal of Ruiz—who was instrumental in PSG's Champions League triumph last season alongside Joao Neves and Vitinha—leaves the French outfit without a key midfield component. Yet their recent demolition of Chelsea in the round of 16 proved they possess the tools to compete without him.

Nevertheless, former France international Christophe Dugarry has backed PSG to run riot against the Reds. "It's going to be a walk in the park, honestly — Liverpool are disastrous," Dugarry told RMC Sport. "In my opinion, the difference in level is colossal. I think PSG will wrap up the quarter-final in the first leg. It's going to be a massacre. Have you seen Liverpool play? They're catastrophic."