Arne Slot explains Mohamed Salah snub after Liverpool defeat to PSG

Mohamed Salah was left on the bench in Liverpool’s 2-0 defeat to PSG (Getty)

Arne Slot believes it was better for Mohamed Salah to ‘save his energy’ after he was left on the bench for Liverpool’s 2-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Liverpool produced a dismal display in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie as goals in each half from Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia sealed the win for PSG.

Slot, meanwhile, opted to start with a back five with Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez operating as wing-backs, while Salah was named as a substitute.

Liverpool failed to register a shot on goal against PSG and with minimal opportunities to attack the Champions League holders, Slot opted not to call upon Salah in the second half.

When asked about his decision to keep Salah on the bench against PSG, Slot said: ‘I think in the last part of the game, it was more about surviving for us than there was ever a chance that we could score.

Arne Slot says he wanted to save Mohamed Salah’s energy (AFP via Getty)

‘Yeah, you never know, because last season we scored five minutes before the end, Harvey Elliott, when I took Mo off, but I think this was 20-25 minutes where we were only defending.

‘And Mo has so much quality, but for Mo to be 20, 25 minutes defending inside his own box, I think it’s better for him to save his energy for a lot of games that are coming up in the upcoming weeks.’

Salah was seen doing extra running on the pitch at the Parc des Princes following Liverpool’s defeat and his attitude was praised by former England defender Stuart Pearce, who covered the game for talkSPORT.

‘I’m also watching down here Mo Salah doing his running as well,’ Pearce said.

‘He’s at the front of the running and sometimes this gets unnoticed. People say oh his attitude stunk when he come off. He done this, he done that.

‘If ever there’s a time where a players attitude is going to stink, it’s Mo Salah with six or seven games to go on his Liverpool career not being brought on when they need a goal.

‘He’s got every opportunity for his attitude to stink and he’s out there doing the running with the team the box to box work that they do after games.

‘So you’ve got to commend him for that. I know it’s his job. I understand that.’

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