Arne Slot has been called out for a couple of questionable decisions during Liverpool’s loss to PSG.
The Reds went into the second leg at Anfield needing to overturn a 2-0 deficit from Paris. Liverpool needed a fast start and for the biggest names to deliver, but Slot’s approach did not pay off against PSG, who finished the job and left the Reds facing a trophyless end to the campaign.
The biggest selection call was the decision to start Isak despite the fact he had only just returned from a months-long lay-off. His performance left a lot to be desired, and that has put the Dutchman in the hot seat.
Is a fifth-place finish enough to warrant Arne Slot remaining Liverpool manager?
Arne Slot during the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between Manchester City and Liverpool
Credit: Shaun Brooks/CameraSport/Getty Images
Dietmar Hamann doesn’t understand decision to start Alexander Isak vs PSG
Isak had been out for months, had only recently returned to team training and was always unlikely to be a 90-minute player in a game of this intensity, so Hamann’s criticism is understandable.
The former Liverpool man said on talkSPORT: “I don’t like the look of Liverpool and obviously playing Isak in a game like this. I was surprised when I saw he was playing and then flabbergasted when I heard the explanation that he can only play a half.
ALEXANDER ISAK DURING Paris Saint-Germain FC v Liverpool FC - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final First Leg
Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
“Because if you want to give him a chance and, more importantly, your team a chance, you bring him on with 10 or 15 minutes to go if you need a goal and give him a chance against tired defenders. But to start him when he’s clearly not fit against the best team in Europe at the moment, I think it was just mad.”
It is a fair argument, but it’s also a double-edged sword. The obvious defence of Slot is that Liverpool needed a strong start after the first leg and needed as much threat on the pitch as possible from the off, so leaving Isak out would have brought its own criticism if PSG had taken control early anyway.
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But that’s not all Slot is getting heat for.
Emmanuel Petit has a different Isak issue after Liverpool loss
Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit came at criticising Slot from another direction.
He said on AFTER FOOT: “You tell me to talk about Mo Salah, he’s been invisible since the start of the season. You’re talking about Isak, who just came back, he’s the only good player who could have caused them problems. He was substituted”
That’s another way of looking at it, but the Swede had just five touches in the first half. It’s not like he was a constant threat.
Rank Alexander Isak against these past and present Liverpool strikers!
Alexander Isak during Leeds United v Liverpool - Premier League
Credit: Robbie Jay Barratt/AMA/Getty Images
The fact is, Liverpool did not have enough cutting edge in reserve, and that lack of depth in the front line now looks even more serious with Hugo Ekitike ruled out for the season after suffering an Achilles injury.
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