Liverpool manager Arne Slot described his side’s Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday as the “best game” he has ever been part of, but admitted the Premier League leaders simply “ran out of luck” in a penalty shootout.
PSG had dominated the first leg but entered Anfield 1-0 down after a late winner from Harvey Elliott gave Liverpool a crucial victory in Paris. The tables turned on Tuesday, as Slot lamented Liverpool’s missed chances, particularly after Ousmane Dembélé’s 12th-minute opener for PSG.
After a goalless 90 minutes and extra time, the match was decided by penalties, with PSG winning 4-1. Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones both had their spot-kicks saved by PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
“It was the best game of football I have ever been involved in,” Slot said. “It was an incredible performance, especially compared to last week. The game had everything you could want. From a Liverpool perspective, we could have at least hoped for a draw after 90 minutes. We created chances, but then we found ourselves 1-0 down. We just ran out of luck after last week.”
Liverpool had finished top of the group in the revamped Champions League format, winning all their opening seven games. However, Slot questioned whether finishing top truly benefits teams, given that Liverpool was then drawn against one of Europe’s most in-form sides in PSG.
“We go out in a way that impressed Europe, but it’s worth considering how much it matters to finish first in the group if you end up facing PSG in the next round,” Slot said. “It’s of course a shock to go out. But last season, we weren’t even in the Champions League, and two seasons ago, we were eliminated by Madrid after a 5-2 home loss. If you have to go out, it’s better to go out like we did, fighting hard against one of the best teams in Europe.”
