LIVERPOOL head coach Arne Slot lamented a familiar story of “underperforming” finishing and a controversial VAR intervention as they were eliminated from the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield on Tuesday night.
Despite a dominant second-half display that saw the Reds pinning the French champions back, a failure to convert clear-cut opportunities ensured their European campaign reached a premature end.
The Liverpool head coach praised his side’s progression from the first leg, citing a high-octane press fueled by a raucous home crowd. However, the post-match mood was darkened by a recurring theme: the inability to turn expected goals into actual goals.
“It’s one of many examples this season where we weren’t able to score from the many chances we had,” Slot said. “We were so underperforming in terms of xG and that is just an ongoing thing with us.”
The night’s biggest talking point arrived in the second half when a penalty awarded to Liverpool was overturned by VAR. Slot, while admitting the club “ran out of luck,” questioned the consistency of the technology.
“Usually VAR tells you, ‘I see contact,’ and then the decision should be the on-field decision,” Slot argued. “I wasn’t surprised that this went against us, but it’s not the story of the game.” Ekitike Season Likely Over The exit was made more bitter by a significant injury to striker Hugo Ekitike. The forward was forced off late in the game, and Slot offered a grim prognosis for the remainder of the campaign. “It doesn’t look good,” Slot admitted.
The good thing is Alex [Isak] is back, but to lose Hugo now is a blow.
The coach also clarified a double-take substitution involving Joe Gomez. After being introduced at half-time, Gomez was withdrawn later in the match. Slot confirmed it was a precautionary move after the defender reported feeling a “tweak” during sprints.
While the disappointment of elimination was palpable, Slot remained defiant regarding the club’s trajectory. He noted that few teams in world football could dominate PSG in the manner Liverpool did for large stretches of the second half.
Liverpool controlled the tempo but lacked the clinical edge. A pivotal penalty reversal denied the Reds a life line.