Arne Slot explains decision to leave departing Mohamed Salah on bench against PSG

Arne Slot has explained his decision to leave the departing Mohamed Salah on the bench against Paris Saint-Germain by admitting Liverpool needed to “survive” in the Champions League quarter-final.

Salah, who is Liverpool’s record goalscorer in European competitions, will be leaving the club at the end of the season but was forced to watch on as Liverpool lost the first leg of their quarter-final tie 2-0 in Paris.

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah sits on the substitutes bench during the Champions League quarter-final first leg match at Parc des Princes (Adam Davy/PA Wire)

Slot had switched up his formation for the trip to the Champions League holders, starting with three centre-backs and defensive wing-backs in Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez rather that their usual wingers.

Liverpool recorded their lowest xG under Slot, with just three shots on PSG’s goal across the match and none on target. But the Liverpool boss opted to send on the returning Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and youngster Trey Nyoni ahead of Salah.

“In the last part of the game it was more about us surviving than there was ever a chance of scoring,” Slot explained. You never know because last season we scored five minutes before the end, but I think this was 20, 25 minutes where we only defending.

“Mo has so much qualities but to be 20, 25 minutes defending in his own box, I think it’s better for him to save his energy for other tough games coming up.”

Liverpool will turn their attention to a home match against Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday, which could be crucial in the race for a top-five finish, before the return leg against PSG at Anfield on Tuesday.

Saturday’s 4-0 defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals, where Salah missed a late penalty, means the Champions League is the only way for the Egyptian to lift silverware in his final season at the club.

Salah was dropped to the bench for the first leg at PSG (AP)

Asked about their chances of progressing to the semi-finals, Slot said: “Probably I have to refer to last season, what gives me the best feeling and I have to refer to the history of this club, how much impact Anfield can make for a performance.

“We were outplayed here last season, which led to a 1-0 win from us which was unbelievable. Paris St Germain was by far the better team today, could have scored more than two goals. But the good thing was that the players of Liverpool showed fighting spirit, kept going.

“Almost every time they had a shot, we had a lot of players behind the ball or protecting our box, which was necessary because if you don’t run back, these players, like the ones from City, are able to hurt you a lot.

“Last season at Anfield we played a completely different game and after 10 minutes could have been 2-0 up. But we need to have a) a better performance and b) we definitely need our fans to help us to create an atmosphere where we can rise to a better level than we did so today.”