Mohamed Salah has awkward Steven Gerrard encounter after Liverpool humiliation ritual

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah was caught in an awkward encounter with Steven Gerrard after the forward was left as an unused substitute in a 2-0 defeat to PSG in the Champions League.

Steven Gerrard shook hands with Mohamed Salah after Liverpool's defeat to PSG in the Champions League(Image: TNT Sports)

Mohamed Salah and Steven Gerrard had an awkward encounter with one another after Liverpool's disappointing 2-0 defeat to PSG in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final.

The Egyptian international was an unused substitute for the Reds, as goals from Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia ensured the reigning European champions will take a two-goal advantage to Anfield next week.

The Reds will feel both frustrated and fortunate with the scoreline, which could've been much worse on the night, with PSG putting down chances to extend the lead, while Arne Slot's side were blunt in attack.

Salah's absence, as a result, was puzzling in a moment when the visitors needed some of the magic that he had provided in years gone by.

The snubbing of Salah saw Alexander Isak, Curtis Jones, Andy Robertson, Cody Gakpo, and Trey Nyoni given opportunities to make an impact, though little could be done in their cameo appearances.

Given the 33-year-old didn't make an appearance in the match, he was subjected to the post-match cooldown, which may have felt more like a humiliation ritual after being powerless to help the Reds turn things around from the bench.

After that cooldown, Salah came off the pitch to see the TNT Sports panel setup, which included Gerrard, Steve McManaman, and Laura Woods on the touchline.

He seemingly denied an opportunity to speak on the show, but embraced in an awkward handshake with Gerrard, before giving a moment to both McManaman and Woods beside him.

While it was an awkward moment between the pair, both stars would have been desperate to be out there on the pitch helping Liverpool during an undoubtedly difficult evening in France.

"Frustrated," Gerrard said on TNT Sports when asked how he thinks Salah will feel about his lack of minutes in the match. "Because I think he'll be sitting there thinking 'I would back myself to influence this game and improve proceedings'.

Salah didn't feature for Liverpool against PSG(Image: (Photo by Stuart Franklin - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images))

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

"Because if there wasn't a midweek game, Wednesday probably would be a 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."

It remains to be seen whether Salah will have an impact on the second leg of the game next week at Anfield, but Liverpool may need him to recreate some of his great moments once again to continue his Champions League journey before an exit in the summer.