Liverpool manager Arne Slot has revealed his team was in "survival mode" during their 2-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals, while also explaining the absence of star striker Mohamed Salah.
Slot described the challenging match where Liverpool struggled to maintain their usual attacking threat against a dominant PSG side. The manager acknowledged his team's defensive approach, stating they were forced into a reactive position throughout the crucial European encounter.
"We found ourselves in survival mode for much of the game," Slot admitted in his post-match comments. "When you're facing a team of PSG's quality, sometimes you have to adapt your approach to stay in the contest."
The Liverpool boss also addressed questions about Salah's absence from the starting lineup, explaining the decision was based on the Egyptian forward's recent fitness concerns rather than tactical considerations.
With the second leg at Anfield approaching, Slot emphasized the need for Liverpool to regroup and find a way to overcome the two-goal deficit when they host the French champions next week. The defeat leaves Liverpool with a significant challenge to keep their Champions League hopes alive this season.