Arne Slot insists Real Madrid remains the top team in Europe as Liverpool resumes its quest for Champions League glory.

Liverpool takes on Paris Saint-Germain in the last-16 of the competition, with the first leg taking place in the French capital on Wednesday night. Slot's side breezed through the group stage, winning seven out of eight games.

The only defeat came in a dead rubber against PSV, with Liverpool putting defending champions Real to the sword in a devastating victory at Anfield back in November. The Reds have been in excellent form both domestically and in Europe, and could end the season with a historic treble.

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Ahead of the encounter, PSG boss Luis Enrique suggested Liverpool is the team to beat right now. He said: "Liverpool has been one of the best teams in Europe over the past few years. It was difficult to improve on what Jurgen Klopp did but Arne Slot has succeeded in creating an almost perfect team."

Slot was asked directly about those comments in his pre-match press conference and said his side cannot claim that title unless it lifts the European Cup for a seventh time this season.

"It is a nice compliment to get but the best team in Europe has to win the Champions League. We are far away from that with a very difficult game tomorrow and then if we get through, for the rest of the competition," the Reds boss responded.

"I think the best team in Europe at the moment is still Real Madrid because it won this competition last season. I think you have to win it before you can say we you are the best team."

Despite topping the group stage, Liverpool has been handed one of the toughest assignments in the knockout round. PSG is unbeaten in Ligue 1 this season and has already beaten Manchester City in this competition.

Slot is well aware of the challenge that awaits his side, adding: "PSG is one of the strongest teams in Europe - and I think everyone agrees, but that can happen in the old format too.

"We could only face PSG or Benfica and anyone who watches football knows we would probably have preferred to face Benfica. If you play for Liverpool, you want to play in the big games. We have to accept the draw and both teams has a tough fixture."

"It is a great fixture to look forward to. Both teams have scored a lot of goals, like to have the ball. There are a lot of similarities. Both teams have attackers in great form, scoring a lot of goals. This team was in the semi-finals last season and in my opinion, this team is even better."