Slot must axe 5/10 Liverpool dud after PSG

It’s the most agonising, soul-splitting part of football. Liverpool were defeated on penalties against Paris Saint-Germain and are out of the Champions League.

While Anfield responded to Arne Slot’s demands of an atmosphere to propel the Reds through against Luis Enrique’s devastating French side, they just couldn’t find a way past Gigi Donnarumma and paid the price as tired legs showed in extra time.

The lottery that is a shootout saw Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones miss their spot-kicks after Mohamed Salah coolly converted, but PSG were unerring and held their nerve to advance to the quarter-finals.

It’s a crushing defeat, Salah disconsolate in particular during the aftermath, but the peerless bourn of European glory will have to wait until next season.

The saving grace that Liverpool’s Premier League title charge has turned into a procession will do little to shake the malaise from this defeat, but with Newcastle United waiting at Wembley on Sunday, the Merseysiders must regroup.

It’s a disappointment, but there were a few who staked their claim for a starting spot in the Carabao Cup final.

Wembley awaits for Liverpool

Wembley awaits, but Slot now faces new challenges in the days leading up to the final. Namely, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s availability after he hobbled off in the second half against PSG, having rolled his ankle on the right flank. However, the manager seemed optimistic regarding Ibrahima Konate’s fitness.

Amid the gloom, the performance of Jarell Quansah deserves some praise. The young centre-back impressed at right-back and was involved in a series of promising attacking efforts after being introduced in the 73rd minute.

He also made an important tackle, two crucial interventions while also blocking a shot in extra-time. That’s not forgetting his effort late in the game that hit the woodwork either.

With Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez already sidelined, it looks like he will get the nod at right-back against the Magpies.

Cody Gakpo’s late cameo after injury problems was also more than welcome, and you’d think the clinical Dutchman will be given the nod in the capital to help Liverpool’s goalscoring issues.

Slot’s struggling star must not start at Wembley

After winning the aerial duel and placing a perfect pass for Harvey Elliott to convert at the Parc des Princes one week ago, Nunez added to a potential purple patch with an equalising goal against Southampton at the weekend.

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But inconsistency is embedded in the 25-year-old’s Liverpool career, and he failed to inspire up front when introduced against PSG. Sure, his penalty was saved in the shootout, but Nunez also struggled to get to grips with the actual game, skewing a couple of passes.

However, Diogo Jota was the real villain as Liverpool crashed out of Europe’s elite competition. The 28-year-old striker was branded with a 5/10 match rating by The Liverpool Echo’s Ian Doyle after the Anfield clash, with his effort acknowledged but decision-making questioned.

Indeed, as per Sofascore, the Portugal international missed a big chance from a first-half header, failed with all three of his attempted dribbles and lost eight of his nine contested ground duels.

His 33 touches were fewer than Alisson’s 61 and he gave away the ball on 14 occasions across his 73-minute outing. It wasn’t an inspiring evening, making Liverpool’s interest in Alexander Isak all the more clear.

Now that Gakpo’s fit once more, Slot must surely be getting ready to let Jota know he will be returning to the bench for the Carabao Cup final, having now gone eight matches without finding the back of the net.

Moreover, though, he didn’t lead the line as you’d hope for one of Europe’s foremost outfits on a night of epic proportions. Luis Diaz is a tricky customer for opponents and you’d wager Slot will now be restoring him to a moonlit centre-forward role.

Both centre-forwards have left more than a little to be desired in the final third this season, and FSG must address this issue in the summer, ensuring Liverpool can go one better on the continental stage next season.

For now, Slot must make do with his current crop, but with Gakpo fit once again, Nunez and Jota may both find themselves sat on the bench when Liverpool take on Newcastle at the weekend.

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