Liverpool manager Arne Slot explained his decision to keep star Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah on the bench for the crucial match against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday. The first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie ended 0-2 in favor of the French team, which was considered a heavy favorite. PSG missed numerous clear chances, leaving the tie open for the second leg at Anfield next Tuesday. After the match, during the press conference, Slot addressed the key question about Salah's absence, stating: "We wanted to defend. That's why it was better to keep him for the upcoming matches." Slot elaborated: "Mo has a great quality, but to spend 20 to 25 minutes defending inside his own penalty area, I think it's better for him to save his energy for other games." Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah expressed his frustration at being on the bench for the entire match. He even refused an interview with his former teammate and legend Steven Gerrard during a post-match analysis segment as he left the field, only shaking his hand. It's worth noting that Salah is going through the worst period of his career at Liverpool. His performance has declined this season, leading him to announce his departure from the club at the end of the current season. Previously, he was a key figure in one of the club's most successful eras, helping Liverpool reclaim its pride by winning the Premier League and the Champions League. In contrast, Liverpool is going through a difficult phase this season, sitting fifth in the Premier League table and at risk of missing out on next season's Champions League. The quality of matches like this one does not suit the team's current situation.
