Liverpool news as Mohamed Salah 'frustration' clear and Arne Slot under pressure

Steven Gerrard praised Mohamed Salah's professionalism after Liverpool's star was left unused during the 2-0 Champions League quarterfinal defeat to Paris Saint-Germain

Mohamed Salah is leaving Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool is nursing its wounds following a commanding display by Paris Saint-Germain in Wednesday's Champions League quarterfinal clash.

The Reds suffered a comprehensive 2-0 defeat at the Parc des Princes in the first leg tie. Strikes from Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia handed the rampant PSG a well-earned victory as Arne Slot's outfit delivered another lackluster showing. The reaction has been scathing, with the Reds' blunt display widely condemned.

Another talking point from the game was club legend Mohamed Salah remaining an unused substitute throughout the match. The latest developments see the Egyptian forward's professionalism highlighted, while a Liverpool player has placed responsibility for the squad's current struggles firmly at Slot's door.

Gerrard lauds Salah

Steven Gerrard has commended Salah's professionalism, acknowledging the Liverpool forward will have been deeply disappointed having watched from the sidelines in Paris.

On a day when Liverpool failed to register a solitary effort on target, the club's third-highest goalscorer of all time was noticeably absent from proceedings on the pitch. The 33-year-old recently confirmed his departure at the season's conclusion and criticized his manager in December, having grown frustrated with being omitted from the starting XI.

Former midfielder Gerrard suggested that Salah's intensive cool-down following the PSG match demonstrated his focus on the upcoming Premier League fixture against Fulham, underscoring his exemplary professionalism.

Salah was left on the bench against Paris Saint-Germain(Image: Getty Images)

When quizzed on TNT Sports about how he would feel in a similar position, the former Reds skipper responded: "Frustrated, because I think he'll be sitting there thinking, 'I back myself to influence this game and improve proceedings.'

"Certainly from a going forward point of view. So I think he'll be a little bit sad and frustrated but credit to him, he's just stayed behind there and done extra running.

"Because if there wasn't a mid-week game, Wednesday would probably be your big session so in his mind he's already got his mind on Fulham and he's doing extra work, which shows the pro and the mentality that you're dealing with."

Konate issues Slot plea

Ibrahima Konate's post-match remarks appeared to subtly shift responsibility onto Slot to address the persistent problem of the side's alarming dip in form throughout the season.

The French international conceded the encounter against PSG was "tough," with the defender finding it difficult to settle into an unfamiliar back three. Reflecting on the defeat in Paris, Konate said: "What do I think of the result tonight? For sure, I'm not happy.

"I know we have another game at Anfield, it's our home, anything can happen there, and we have to make sure we are ready for the game on Saturday. After, we're going to think more about that game against PSG. I think PSG, like last season, [are] one of the best teams in the world. They show it again today.

"It was tough for us to find a solution to find the target, but this is the work of the manager now to see what we can improve, what we can change for the game at home and we will see."

The second leg between Liverpool and PSG is scheduled for Tuesday, with the Reds requiring a classic Anfield fightback if they harbor any ambitions of progressing to the semifinals.