Liverpool star Mohamed Salah looked on from the bench as his side fell to defeat at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday night, with PSG taking a 2-0 lead from the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final encounter.
Luke Thrower Trends Writer
22:07, 08 Apr 2026Updated 22:24, 08 Apr 2026
Mohamed Salah looked dejected on the Liverpool bench
Mohamed Salah looked dejected on the Liverpool bench(Image: TNT Sports)
Mohamed Salah looked far from impressed while sitting on the Liverpool bench as he was an unused substitute in his side's 2-0 defeat to PSG at the Parc des Princes in the Champions League quarter-final first leg.
The 33-year-old was not named in Arne Slot's starting 11, as the head coach opted for a back five approach to take on the reigning European champions.
Given Liverpool's struggles this season, particularly in being picked apart at the back, it was a move that looked to bring about a different outcome from the 4-0 smashing at the hands of Manchester City at the weekend.
That quickly fell apart, however, when Desire Doue opened the scoring after just 11 minutes, before Khvicha Kvaratskhelia doubled the lead just after the hour mark.
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While PSG put down a few other chances, Liverpool looked blunt in attack, even though Slot had a star-studded bench to call upon in the second half to change their fortunes.
The first set of changes came in the 78th minute, when Isak, Curtis Jones, Cody Gakpo, and Andy Robertson made their way on for one last push.
While there were options there to change the game around, the manager ultimately excluded Salah, who has been known for making a difference on the biggest stage, in the games that matter most.
As the TNT Sports cameras panned to the 33-year-old in the remaining moments, he looked far from impressed, with his team behind, while he was powerless to influence proceedings.
Liverpool's Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah runs along the touch line during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Liverpool FC
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah was an unused substitute in the defeat to PSG(Image: (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty Images))
It was a decision that may have changed the game if Salah could make the impact on the big stage as he has shown so often, although doubts have been there over his form this season.
The Egyptian international has managed just ten goals and nine assists across all competitions, a marked drop off from previous seasons, where he brought more end product on top of better all-round performances.
That may have ultimately played a large part in Salah's upcoming exit, with Liverpool announcing that the forward will be leaving on a free transfer in the summer, 12 months early from the end of his contract that was signed last year.
Many will be hoping that his time on the bench at the Parc des Princes won't be one of his last involvements in a Champions League squad for the Reds, but that may be the case unless they can secure a turnaround at Anfield next week.
Slot's side host PSG in Merseyside for the second leg, where Salah could still have a major say in how Liverpool's campaign will play out, while time ticks down on his time at the club.
It remains to be seen whether he can have that impact or not, but the Reds are crying out for a little more magic from the Egyptian King in the Champions League once again.