Liverpool were knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain after losing 1-0 on the night at Anfield, with Arne Slot's side missing two penalties in the shootout
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Arne Slot, Manger of Liverpool, speaks to the media in a post match press conference
Arne Slot bemoaned a lack of luck after Liverpool were knocked out of the Champions League by PSG
(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
Liverpool boss Arne Slot was left to rue Liverpool's lack of fortune after they were knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain - a factor former boss Jurgen Klopp once cautioned the Reds over.
Despite Liverpool securing a vital 1-0 victory in the first leg against PSG, their return clash at Anfield ended in disappointment. Alisson Becker was unable to replicate his heroics from the Parc des Princes in Paris, where he made nine saves, as the Reds fell behind early and, after 120 minutes, were beaten in a penalty shootout.
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Post-match, Slot lamented the absence of the sort of luck they had in France just a week prior, contributing to an ‘unfair’ exit given their performance throughout the campaign.
"It feels a bit unfair to go out in this round already if you were top of the table and face a team like PSG," Slot said. "Last week we had a bit of luck, we didn't have it today."
Alisson Becker of Liverpool reacts after Ousmane Dembele of Paris Saint-German scores his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield
Alisson Becker wasn't able to prevent Liverpool crashing out of the Champions League on Tuesday
Alisson made 16 saves across both games with PSG – the highest by any keeper in a UEFA Champions League knockout tie since Manuel Neuer's performance for Bayern Munich against Real Madrid in the 2016-17 quarter-finals – according to Opta. Both Slot and his predecessor Klopp have frequently credited Alisson as a key factor in Liverpool's recent success, although they admit their reliance on him is not ideal, as per the Mirror.
Following a 2-2 draw with Manchester United and a 1-0 loss to Tottenham in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg in early January, Slot emphasised that Liverpool should not have to rely on luck. "What can we improve? Increasing the margin, because otherwise you'll always depend on a bit of luck or a bit of being unlucky as well or certain decisions made by the referee," Slot said.
"We must make sure that we don't depend on those moments any more and that's the next step we want to make if we want to not depend on luck or bad luck."
However, Klopp had already raised concerns back in 2021. He was irate after Liverpool thrashed Manchester United 5-0 at Old Trafford in October of that year, attributing the victory to what he saw as his team once again relying on Alisson.
Jurgen Klopp and Alisson Becker
Jurgen Klopp once claimed that Liverpool couldn't keep relying on Alisson
"We have to improve, we know that. The world is like this - you win 5-0 against United and everything is perfect. Well, it was not," he said post-match.
"United had clear-cut chances, which we gave them. We should not rely on luck or Ali (goalkeeper, Alisson). We could have done better. This is how we spoke at half-time, even though we were 4-0 up.
"It is really important you believe you have to play better, otherwise you open up the gate for them. I saw the first half, we gave too much away. We have to improve, in general."
While Liverpool will no doubt be licking their wounds, they are still 15 points clear at the top of the Premier League table, having played one more game than Arsenal in second. Next up is the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United at Wembley on Sunday.