It was a huge night in the Champions League for Liverpool as they looked to salvage their season, but suffered major disapointment against Paris Saint-Germain. In the end, goals from Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia saw the home team pick up a 2-0 first-leg win in the quarter final.
Arne Slot took a big gamble ahead of the game, moving to a back five with wingbacks and dropping Mohamed Salah. It clearly didn't play off, with Jeremie Frimpong failing to provide the same sort of threat on the flanks. Even so, the Dutch coach did not even bother to bring on the Egyptian depsite using all five of his substitutes on the night.
Having thrown a strop after being dropped against Leeds United earlier on in the season, it was interesting to see how Salah reacted against PSG.
Gerrard on Salah's Attitude After Slot's PSG Snub
After the game, TNT Sports host Laura Woods was talking to Liverpool icons Steven Gerrard and Steve McManaman when Salah walked past in the background. The winger clearly then gestured to make it clear he would not take part in any interview.
It should be said that Woods then clarified that TNT weren't allowed to have an interview with him even if he wanted to. What's more, that Salah did politely come over and say hello to all three pundits.
Following this, Gerrard praised Salah's attitude, explaining:
"He'll be frustrated. I think he'd be sitting there thinking 'I'd back myself to influence this game and improve proceedings', certainly from a going forward point of view. So I think he'll be a little bit sad and frustrated.
"But credit to him, you know, he's just stayed behind now and done extra running, because if there wasn't a midweek game, Wednesday probably would be your big session. So in his mind, he's probably already got his mind on Fulham and he's doing the extra work, which shows the pro [he is' and mentality you're dealing with."
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Gerrard Spoke About Feelings When He was Dropped vs Real Madrid in Past
steven gerrard
Speaking ahead of the game to TNT Sports after news came through the Salah had been dropped, Gerrard said: “We just got a smile from him there, warming up with the subs.“I’m sure he’ll be disappointed, this is the stage that Mo Salah loves and every player doesn’t want to miss out and be on the bench, I’ve been there myself at the Bernabeu when I wasn’t selected to play, and it hurts.
“You’ve got to use it as motivation and be ready when the manager calls upon you. There’s a lot of football left to be played this season, there’s another game next week, there’s a game against Fulham, you just have to be ready when called upon.
“But I know Mo Salah well enough to know that he’ll be hurting inside tonight not playing tonight.”