Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti was happy to make his return to the side following a month out injured – but regrets the red card that will keep him out of next week’s Champions League clash with Liverpool.

The Italian was sent off for two bookable offences in last season’s round of 16 second leg tie against Real Madrid, dismissed in the 2-1 defeat at the Parc des Princes which brought PSG’s European campaign to a premature end.

He returned for the first time this season on Friday night in PSG’s comfortable 4-0 romp over Saint Etienne, with Verratti expressing his happiness at being back on the pitch and teeing Julian Draxler up for his goal.

“I am very happy to be back on the pitch,” said Verratti, 25.

“I hope that now that I will be able to string together some matches. Julian managed to score a great goal, because my pass was not that great, it was really impressive. We are growing in confidence with each win and that is very positive.”

Addressing Tuesday’s Champions League opener with the Reds at Anfield, he added: “We know that Liverpool will be very different. They are a team that is very good at home.

“They also have Champions League experience and reached last season’s final. This sort of match is good, we know that it will be a very tight game.

“If we get out of this group, we will do so with greater confidence. When I saw the calendar, I was hoping that this would not be the first match – I still regret my red card from last campaign.”