Liverpool manager Arne Slot has stood by his choice not to bring on Mohamed Salah in the latter stages of the team’s 2–0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final.
The defeat left Liverpool with a tough challenge ahead in the return fixture, but Slot maintained that keeping his star forward on the bench was a deliberate decision aimed at preserving his fitness, not a tactical mistake.
Salah’s absence during key moments surprised many fans and analysts, especially as Liverpool searched for a goal to get back into the contest.
However, Slot explained that the closing phase of the match forced his side into a defensive mindset, making it unwise to risk deploying one of their most vital attacking players in a situation dominated by sustained pressure from the opposition.
After the game, Slot noted that the final stretch was largely about limiting further damage, with PSG’s relentless attacks pushing Liverpool deep into their own territory and leaving little room to build meaningful offensive plays.
He added that the last 20 to 25 minutes turned into a defensive struggle rather than an opportunity to attack, meaning introducing a forward like Salah would have offered minimal tactical value.
With PSG controlling possession and keeping Liverpool pinned back, bringing on an out-and-out attacker could have left the team exposed. Without the ability to move the ball forward from midfield, even a world-class striker risks becoming isolated.
In addition, throwing Salah into a frantic defensive situation might have disrupted Liverpool’s structure and increased the risk of conceding more goals, which could have effectively ended their hopes in the tie. From the outside, it may have seemed like Slot had given up, but in reality, he was trying to keep his team competitive across both legs.
