Liverpool manager Arne Slot has explained why Mohamed Salah was not introduced late in his side’s 2–0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final. The result leaves Liverpool with a difficult task in the return leg, but Slot believes his decision was justified given the circumstances of the match.
Salah’s absence during a crucial period raised questions among fans and pundits, especially as Liverpool searched for a way back into the game. However, Slot revealed that the final phase of the match forced his team into a defensive approach, limiting the effectiveness of bringing on an attacking player.
According to Slot, the last 20 to 25 minutes were dominated by PSG’s attacking pressure, with Liverpool pinned deep in their own half. In such a scenario, he felt introducing Salah would have offered little tactical benefit and could have exposed the team further.
Speaking after the match, Slot said: “The last part of the game was about surviving for us. It was a 20–25 minutes period where we were only defending, and it’s better to save his energy for the upcoming games.”
With PSG controlling possession and forcing Liverpool into a low defensive block, Slot argued that an elite forward like Salah would have been isolated and unable to influence the game. He also suggested that introducing him in such conditions might have disrupted the team’s defensive structure and increased the risk of conceding more goals.
While the decision may have appeared overly cautious, Slot maintained that it was made with the bigger picture in mind, giving Liverpool a better chance of turning the tie around over two legs rather than risking further damage in the first encounter.