Arne Slot: Liverpool can be proud despite Champions League defeat to PSG

Arne Slot: Liverpool can be proud despite Champions League defeat to PSG

Despite finishing top of the newly formatted group stage with an impressive 21 points, Arne Slot's side faced a difficult last-16 draw against a formidable PSG, who remain unbeaten in Ligue 1 and, in Slot's words, are "statistically the best team in Europe."

Liverpool held a 1-0 aggregate lead after the first leg, but PSG's Ousmane Dembele levelled the tie in the return fixture.

The two sides could not be separated across 210 gruelling minutes, forcing the contest into penalties, where PSG triumphed 4-1 to seal their place in the quarter-finals.

Slot expressed pride in his team's performance but hinted that he may approach the league phase of next season's Champions League differently.

"I am feeling disappointed about being knocked out. I do feel in the end of the season, it does matter how we presented ourselves in Europe," Slot told the media after the game.

"I just said, we were not in the Champions League last season and this season we really showed ourselves. We can be proud of what we did. We won seven games in a row and then we played with our substitutes and lost against PSV.

"I think we played last week not our best game but today we saw a completely different Liverpool. We go out in a way that I think has impressed Europe.

"It is something now to take into consideration about how much worth it is to end up first in the league table if you can face Paris Saint-Germain in the next round.

"It is what it is. Maybe I am [speaking] too soon now but maybe it would be more fair that after the round in between, the one that wins the league table plays against the team that is lowest position after the teams have played.

"But that is also because we were so unlucky to play Paris Saint-Germain because we could have also gone to the other side of the draw.

"In the end, if you want to win the tournament you have to beat teams like Paris Saint-Germain and that's what we didn't do today after an incredible first 90 minutes of football from us."
 

Related News

Kompany understands Arteta's subtle criticism of English football's hectic schedule

Kompany understands Arteta's subtle criticism of English football's hectic schedule

  • 16 hours ago

Vincent Kompany has backed Mikel Arteta's view that English football operates in "a different world", as the debate over standards across Europe intensifies ahead of the Champions League final.

Luis Enrique: PSG won't aim to defend lead, the aim is to beat Bayern in Munich

Luis Enrique: PSG won't aim to defend lead, the aim is to beat Bayern in Munich

  • 17 hours ago

Paris Saint-Germain head into a decisive night at the Allianz Arena determined to stay true to their attacking identity, with manager Luis Enrique insisting his side will attack Bayern Munich.

Mikel Arteta hails 'incredible night' as Arsenal book Champions League final spot

Mikel Arteta hails 'incredible night' as Arsenal book Champions League final spot

  • 19 hours ago

Arsenal are one match away from European glory after booking their place in the UEFA Champions League final for the first time in two decades, keeping alive hopes of a historic double.

Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz cleared fit for Arsenal's Champions League decider against Atletico

Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz cleared fit for Arsenal's Champions League decider against Atletico

  • 1 day ago

Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard will both be available for Arsenal's Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid as the Gunners aim to reach their first final in the competition since 2006.