Tonight’s match at Anfield is round two in a three-way Champions League clash that should tell us a lot about the relative strengths of English and German football, or at least the Premier League and the Bundesliga.

I am writing this in southwestern rural France, an hour before the start of ‘Le Crunch’, as the French call their annual rugby highlight against the elderberry-smelling English hamsters.

It is the evening of September 9, and the Stade de France is a sea of sound and flashing lights as the Paris public greet their World Cup heroes, embarking on another campaign.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists last season’s devastating Champions League final defeat did the club no harm at all, writes Carl Markham

Not only is Murphy a budding model, he plays hurling for Birr, Co. Offaly and last weekend he lifted the cup for their 7-a-side team as part of the GAA Battle of Champions crown.

What did the National League final say about Tipperary’s Munster Championship prospects?

Jonny May insists England “owe the country” when they face Ireland having ceded the NatWest 6 Nations title to their rivals.

It’s quite a state of affairs when Real Madrid wield the sword of righteous justice in any particular contest. This is, after all, the club of General Franco’s favour, shady training ground construction deals, and gaudy Galactico excess, writes Tommy Martin.

The line between triumph and disaster is seldom more than gossamer thin in the Six Nations.

The sight of Dan Leavy joining the victory celebrations as players mobbed drop-goal hero Johnny Sexton gave Tadhg Furlong a chuckle as Ireland’s post-match review got underway at Carton House.

Munster left Paris last night disappointed at the lost opportunity to secure a place in the last eight but knowing their Champions Cup destiny is still in their own hands.

France has effectively stepped up the pressure on Ireland and other EU countries in the fight to lure London banking jobs after Brexit by making it less expensive to sack financial traders.

Rory Best believes Ireland’s meticulous player management should stop many more top stars following Simon Zebo’s lead in moving to France for next season.

American sports executive Charlie Stillitano believes only a "crazy action" by Donald Trump could prevent the United States from winning the right to stage the 2026 World Cup.

Earlier this week, Britain’s new £3bn (€3.3bn) aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth arrived in Portsmouth amid much fanfare and red-white-and-blue jingoism. The carrier is to be based there for 50 years.

Gaming and technology news with Ronan Jennings

Almost all EU countries are likely to bid to host the two major regulatory agencies that have to be relocated from London, setting up a potential squabble between the 27 remaining members that have so far shown a united front on Brexit.

Dani Alves has apologised for any hurt he might have caused Manchester City and their head coach Pep Guardiola by signing for Paris St Germain.

My message has always been that it’s OK to be a home cook, says Trish Deseine.

Greetings once more from Paris, where I am covering the presidential election, the result of which is due, as I write, in an hour’s time.

Incidents of terrorism have taken their toll on traditional Irish holidaymaker destinations such as Disneyland Paris and Kusadasi in Turkey, the boss of the Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) has said.

Top scorer Edinson Cavani has agreed a new two-year contract with Paris St Germain that will keep him with the club until June 2020.

French giants Stade Francais and Racing 92 will merge next season, forming an “absolute monster” Top 14 Paris super club.

Barcelona 6 - PSG 1 (6-5 on agg): Neymar was the hero for Barcelona last night as the Catalans made history by becoming the first team ever to overcome a 0-4 first leg deficit — beating Paris Saint Germain 6-1 on the night with the last few minutes of the game seeing the Brazilian score twice and set up a 95th winner for substitute Sergi Roberto.

Paris Saint-Germain’s Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani is relishing coming up against countryman Luis Suarez at the Parc des Princes tonight.

Munster have a home Champions Cup quarter-final to look forward to in the spring after completing the double over Racing 92 with a 22-10 win at Thomond Park.

Glasgow 12 Munster 14: With no frills and few thrills Munster left Glasgow on Saturday night with everything they had hoped for. 

French football packs up for its two-week winter break tomorrow with its flagship clubs in a mini-crisis. The super-rich are no longer having things entirely their own way.

For all the superlatives rightly thrown in the direction of Joe Schmidt’s team the past couple of days, one aspect of Soldier Field has probably still not been fully appreciated.

EU states have agreed on a fast-track, joint ratification of the Paris accord to combat climate change, pushing the landmark global pact to the brink of entering into force.

PSG 1 Arsenal 1: Arsene Wenger surprised Group A favourites Paris St Germain before kick off by selecting a second-rate starting line-up.

Niall Quinn has challenged Ireland’s Euro 2016 heroes to build on the success of their French adventure.

The tenth attack on home soil has moved French authorities to consider a major security overhaul, writes Aki Peritz

What a week for the women and men of the Central Statistics Office. Surely never before has the Irish statistical community occupied such a starring role in our national conversation.

It’s taken seven years, but the Republic of Ireland will finally avail of the opportunity to exorcise some of the ghosts from the infamous ‘Hand of Gaul’ game at the Stade de France this day week when they open their Euro 2016 account against Sweden.

The significance of Britain’s exit has yet to be seen but the implications for our country will be immense, writes Daniel McConnell

Northern Ireland 0 Germany 1: Defeat on the night for Northern Ireland but it was one that ended with history being written as Michael O’Neill’s side advanced to the knockout stages of Euro 2016 thanks to the heroics of Michael McGovern and a Turkish win in Lens.

Manchester City defender Eliaquim Mangala claims Zlatan Ibrahimovic does not scare him as he prepares to face up to the formidable Paris St Germain frontman.