Liverpool verdict from Anfield as the Reds bow out of the Champions League, losing 4-0 to Paris Saint-Germain on aggregate
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 14: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, applauds the fans alongside Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool after the team's defeat in the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final Second Leg match between Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain FC at Anfield on April 14, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Arne Slot applauds the Liverpool supporters while Virgil van Dijk takes a moment of reflection after the harsh 2-0 home loss to Paris Saint-Germain
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(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
If defeat No.17 of Liverpool's season is to have any meaning beyond simple Champions League heartbreak, then this sort of performance must now become the blueprint.
Arne Slot's side won't play a better side than European champions Paris Saint-Germain between now and the end of the campaign and they are almost certain not to be beaten again if they reach the levels seen here at times.
So if the Reds are to have another crack at the big time next term, they must show this same intensity and purpose when the bright lights of Europe's most lucrative competition aren't beaming down on them.
In fact, with Everton, Chelsea and Manchester United still to come, that perhaps bodes well for a team who clearly prefer their fixtures to carry some hype.
PSG have a real chance at becoming the first team since Real Madrid in 2018 to retain the Champions League and losing to them in this manner is no real disgrace. Now into the semi-finals, Luis Enrique's team are breathtaking but Liverpool were able to match their visitors for large spells as they responded to the din provided by the Anfield crowd.
And had referee Maurizio Mariani stuck to his guns and gave the penalty he initially awarded after Alexis Mac Allister had been felled by Willian Pacho, we might even be reflecting on another European miracle around these parts.
But the best team over the two legs are going through and Slot and his players are left with the singular aim of merely qualifying for the competition once more. With six games they left, they find themselves four points clear of Chelsea with an enormous Merseyside derby to come on Sunday afternoon at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The slog that has become the league campaign isn't necessarily one that will ignite the imagination in this group of players but this is where they find themselves. They must now see the job through with the same vigour and effort they showed here.
In isolation, there is no real need for any inquests or soul searching following this defeat, which came via Ousmane Dembele's double - which both came against the run of play - but failing to apply this collective effort for the remainder will be unforgivable. The Reds cannot afford to feel sorry for themselves now.
This performance might have bought some goodwill for Slot and his players from a fanbase tired of losing but it will quickly seep away again if Everton are allowed to bully them this weekend.
An absorbing first half saw few real chances for either side but the closest Liverpool came was when PSG captain Marquinhos threw himself in the way to deny Virgil van Dijk from close range after goalkeeper Matvei Safanov got down well to keep out what would have been an Achraf Hakimi own goal.
Having already confirmed before kick-off that Alexander Isak was only slated for 45 minutes on his first start since early December, Slot was forced into a change when Hugo Ekitike went down with a worrying injury off the ball that forced him off on a stretcher.
The hope is that the issue is not as serious as it appeared for the 17-goal top scorer but there is real fear a suspected Achilles injury might lead to a lengthy absence. It's cruel luck for the Frenchman.
Isak understandably struggled to make an impression on his first start since the win at Inter. The Sweden international's best football at this club will come from next season and it was difficult for him to get up to speed given his obvious lack of fitness.
One chance came via Ryan Gravenberch's through ball but Safonov saved before the offside flag went up. Cody Gakpo replaced him at the interval and better days await the most expensive footballer in British history.
Mohamed Salah's introduction made an instant impact. The Egyptian looked motivated and hungry as he attempted to inspire a comeback but PSG held firm as the Reds continued to try and force the issue.
But the defending champions caught their hosts cold down the other end when Dembele curled home what was their first real foray towards goal in the second half.
The France international, the current Ballon d'Or holder no less, wrapped things up in stoppage time, condemning Liverpool to a harsh 2-0 defeat.
Slot spoke in his pre-match press conference on Monday about his team being at the beginning of a new cycle. However, that fresh start can only truly begin this summer, when legendary names like Salah and Andy Robertson depart.
Their exits will initiate the second phase of the "transition" the head coach speaks of in the transfer market. "Let's see if we can add some good players this summer after selling some good ones," the Dutchman said, post-match.
How much financial muscle they will have to flex when that time comes depends on what happens between now and the end of the campaign. That is why it is now imperative that this is not reserved only for the more glamorous fixtures.
For every Real Madrid, Inter and Atletico Madrid, there is a Brentford, or a Bournemouth or a Wolves to counter-punch against the idea that this Liverpool side remains a top one.
So do they really have the stomach for the fight now with just the Premier League campaign left to conclude? We will find out.