Mohamed Salah became one of the biggest talking points after Liverpool’s 2-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, even though he did not play a single minute.
Arne Slot’s decision to leave one of Liverpool’s most dangerous attackers on the bench throughout the Champions League loss surprised many supporters, especially with the team offering so little going forward. But while the debate over that call grew, Salah’s reaction after the match ended up drawing plenty of praise.
Salah did not hide, but he did not speak either
After the final whistle, Salah briefly approached TNT Sports’ pitchside area, greeted Laura Woods, Steven Gerrard and Steve McManaman, and then moved on without giving an interview.
It was a small moment, but one that still reflected the mood around him. Liverpool had been well beaten, he had remained unused, and frustration would have been completely understandable.
Gerrard saw frustration, but also professionalism
Steven Gerrard admitted that Salah was likely disappointed by what had happened. From his point of view, the Egyptian would naturally believe he could have helped Liverpool in an attacking sense and changed the flow of the game.
But Gerrard also pointed to the way Salah responded. Instead of disappearing into the background or sulking after the match, he stayed out to complete extra running. For Gerrard, that was another sign of the professionalism and mentality that have defined Salah throughout his Liverpool career.
Slot said Liverpool were only trying to survive
After the game, Arne Slot explained why Salah never came on. According to the Liverpool manager, the final phase of the match was less about chasing a comeback and more about limiting the damage.
He said Liverpool had spent a long stretch pinned back and defending deep in their own box, so bringing on Salah in that situation would not have played to his strengths. Slot’s thinking was to preserve the forward’s energy for the important games still to come rather than ask him to spend 20 or 25 minutes defending in survival mode.
Liverpool now need far more from the second leg
Those comments make it feel even more likely that Salah will be central to Liverpool’s plan in the return match at Anfield. The first leg exposed just how blunt the team looked without enough attacking threat.
Liverpool failed to register a single shot on target, and that statistic alone underlined how badly they need more quality and conviction in the final third if they want to turn the tie around.
A quiet gesture that still sent a message
Salah’s post-match actions were never going to erase the frustration surrounding Liverpool’s performance or the questions over Slot’s selection. But they did show something important.
He may have been disappointed, and understandably so, yet there was no visible outburst and no public display of resentment. Instead, he got on with his work and turned attention toward the next challenge.
For a player left on the bench on such a big night, that response said plenty.
