Liverpool's miserable season continued on Tuesday evening, as they were dumped out of the Champions League by PSG at Anfield for a second year running by.
Defending champions PSG arrived at the home of the Premier League champions with a 2-0 lead from last week's home leg in Paris, and there was little reason for optimism among the Liverpool support that a comeback would be possible.
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There was a poignant atmosphere ahead of kick-off, with a minute's silence to mark the 37th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, which falls on Wednesday.
That followed a rousing rendition of 'You'll Never Walk Alone,' watched from the bench by Mo Salah, on what would ultimately become his final European night as a Liverpool player.
Mo Salah looked pensive as the Kop blasted out ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’
Could be his last European night at Anfield as a Liverpool player pic.twitter.com/U24j8EN6U9
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) April 14, 2026
It would not take long until Salah was on the field of play, with Hugo Ekitike receiving lengthy treatment and eventually being stretchered off for what looks to be a serious injury for the young Frenchman.
Credit to Liverpool, this was a far more spirited performance than what they had mustered at the Parc des Princes, but there was a sense PSG were merely holding them at arm's length.
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Neither side could break the deadlock before the first major flashpoint, when Alexis Mac Allister appeared to be felled in the box by Willian Pacho in the 64th minute. Referee Maurizio Mariani pointed to the spot.
However, it would not take long for VAR to intervene, and Mariani would overturn his decision after consulting the pitchside monitor.
Just six minutes later, Ousmane Dembelé had PSG 1-0 up on the night thanks to a delightful curled finish from range, and the tie was over at 3-0 on aggregate.
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"A goal against the run of play to perhaps end the reds resistance" 🗣️
Ousmane Dembélé with a lovely strike to make it 3-0 on aggregate 🔵 pic.twitter.com/jM2knZCqHg
— Premier Sports Ireland (@PremSportsIRL) April 14, 2026
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By the time Dembelé added his and PSG's second in injury-time, the game had come to resemble something of a training session, with the home fans beginning to filter out in the driving rain.
PSG are heading for the semi final 🔜
Ousmane Dembélé with his second of the game to give the away side a place in the last 4 🏆 pic.twitter.com/BldDwnbaH4
— Premier Sports Ireland (@PremSportsIRL) April 14, 2026
Just 10 days after being battered 4-0 by Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals, Liverpool were subjected to another 4-0 defeat, this time on aggregate to exit the Champions League in even more demoralising fashion than last year's penalty shootout defeat (also to PSG).
It's hard to find too many reasons for positivity at Anfield of late, and Daniel Sturridge's attempts to put a positive spin on this result fell on deaf ears with Wayne Rooney on Prime Video's coverage of the game.
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Liverpool 0-2 PSG (0-4 agg.)
There have, of course, been challenges presented for Liverpool that were out of the squad's control, not least the tragic death of Diogo Jota, which has naturally impacted his teammates.
Injuries to the likes of Alexander Isak and Alisson Becker have presented on-field challenges, too, while the spat between head coach Arne Slot and Mo Salah was an unwanted subplot.
However, from a purely footballing sense, it is hard to find too many reasons for optimism for the months ahead for Liverpool.
Speaking on Prime Video on the wake of Tuesday's 2-0 defeat to PSG, Daniel Sturridge attempted to do as much, putting something of a positive spin on the outlook for the future.
I don't think this is a time for negativity either, though.
I know, of course, the big injury for [Hugo] Ekitike tonight, which is a huge moment.
But we're talking about a group of players who are building together. Yes, it is a transitional moment, but the quality of player that the club has purchased does give you hope that they can get back to their level quickly.
I don't think this season...when people talk about rebuilds, people talk about three, four, five years...I don't expect that to be the case.
But I think the signings, they've got top level young players who they believe in, and I truly believe the club can get back to the level.
As Sturridge spoke, the camera panned out to reveal a bewildered Wayne Rooney looking at the former Liverpool striker.
Manchester United legend Rooney had already sparred with Robbie Fowler about the Liverpool players' poor body language, and he would cut across Sturridge to point out that this "rebuild" was happening less than a year after they became Premier League champions.
You're talking about 'rebuild' to the champions of last season. So, they won the league last season and they've spent an awful amount of money to try and make that better.
So, there's certainly been faults. Whether that's recruitment...obviously they've had players out injured, but you shouldn't be talking about 'rebuild' when you've just won the Premier League.
They've lost some really good players. You can see why the fans were so upset when they lost Trent.
There are undoubtedly many talented players at Liverpool, and it is less than 12 months since they confirmed themselves as Premier League champions.
However, it's much easier to find yourself agreeing with Wayne Rooney than with Daniel Sturridge, given Arne Slot's side's last few months.
The prospect of them remaining "Arne Slot's side" appears unlikely at this stage, given Liverpool's underperformance across the board this season.
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Katie McCabe Ireland Poland 14 April 2026; Katie McCabe of Republic of Ireland, 11, celebrates with team-mate Denise OSullivan after scoring their side's second goal during the 2027 FIFA Womens World Cup Qualifier match between Poland and Republic of Ireland at Polsat Plus Arena in Gdansk, Poland. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile