Liverpool's Champions League hopes took a significant hit in Paris, with manager Arne Slot conceding his team was fortunate to escape with only a 2-0 defeat to a dominant PSG side. Goals from Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia have left the Reds with a monumental task in the second leg at Anfield.

Slot described his team as being in "survival mode" for large stretches of the match, a sentiment underscored by the startling statistic that Liverpool failed to register a single shot on target. The Dutchman admitted the plan to press high and force errors never materialized against PSG's formidable quality.

A major talking point was the decision to leave star forward Mohamed Salah on the bench for the entire match, even while chasing the game. Slot explained the tactical reasoning, stating that with his side pinned back for the final 25 minutes, it was a choice between a desperate gamble and preserving energy. "For Mo to be 20 or 25 minutes defending inside his own box, I think it’s better for him to save his energy for the games that are coming up," Slot said, prioritizing the broader fixture schedule.

Despite the disappointing performance, Slot pointed to a crucial silver lining: the tie is still alive. Acknowledging that PSG's missed chances "kept us alive," he now looks to the famous Anfield atmosphere to fuel a historic comeback. The stage is set for a legendary European night where mentality and passion will be just as important as tactics and talent.