Paris Saint-Germain coach Thomas Tuchel said he told star striker Neymar he was not going to play ahead of the club’s 4-0 victory over Saint Etienne in Ligue 1 on Friday – even though the former Barcelona man and Real Madrid target wanted to feature.

The Brazil international was in the stands alongside suspended teammate Kylian Mbappe to watch the French champions register their fifth victory from as many matches through Julian Draxler, Edinson Cavani, Angel Di Maria and Moussa Diaby goals.

Neymar played 90 minutes for Brazil in their 5-0 hammering of El Salvador on Wednesday in Maryland and Tuchel elected to rest the 26-year-old.

“Neymar and I spoke on Thursday. I told him that he was not going to play and that he could not train. However, Neymar felt good and took part in the whole session,” said the former Borussia Dortmund boss.

“That night, he was unable to sleep. I asked Neymar at 10:00 GMT on Friday how he was, and his reply was ‘I do not know.’ When he told me that, it was an alarm in my head.

“Neymar played 90 minutes on Wednesday with Brazil, so I did not want to take any risks. Together, we decided that he would not play.”

PSG’s No10 will return to the starting XI for the Champions League Group C opener away at Liverpool on Tuesday and Tuchel knows Anfield will be a difficult place to go.

“We know that Anfield is one of the toughest trips in Europe,” said the 45-year-old.

“Saint Etienne was a good rehearsal. It was good for our confidence ahead of Tuesday’s match. It will be a big test for us. We are confident, though.”