Let’s begin with the positives.
In the latter stages of their Champions League quarter-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield, Liverpool momentarily appeared to be the stronger side.
PSG found themselves trapped, struggling to escape their own half. The European champions were lacking a clear outlet as Liverpool intensified their pressure.
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Then, for a fleeting moment, Alexis Mac Allister was fouled in the penalty area by Willian Pacho. This seemed like the lifeline Liverpool needed. However, the penalty was overturned after VAR review, deflating the team’s momentum.
Had that penalty been awarded and converted, the outcome could have been very different. Shortly after, Mac Allister was sent off just outside his box by Ousmane Dembele, who went on to score the third goal of the match.
Dembele added a fourth during injury time, sealing a 4-0 aggregate victory for PSG.
Liverpool Comes Away Empty-Handed
Overall, Liverpool ended the tie with exactly what they earned; nothing at all. It mirrors the lack of silverware that manager Slot will have to face this season across the Premier League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup.
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The absence of any trophies this season highlights a significant gap in quality between the Premier League champions and genuine contenders for the European title.
This revelation is a harsh critique for Slot and those involved in assembling this squad. PSG faced a greater challenge last year against Liverpool, and this encounter underscored just how much the English side has declined.
The depth of the squad is simply not what it used to be. When Liverpool sought halftime substitutes, they turned to Joe Gomez and Cody Gakpo playing as the No. 9. Some recent acquisitions appear insufficient to elevate the club’s performance to the next level.
This includes players like Jeremie Frimpong and Alexander Isak. The potential of goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili is still uncertain, while Florian Wirtz must demonstrate greater consistency.