Arne Slot does not consider Paris Saint-Germain among the top contenders for the Champions League, even after they eliminated his Liverpool side. The Premier League leaders exited in the round of 16 after a tense penalty shootout at Anfield on Tuesday night.
Liverpool had been outplayed in Paris but secured a first-leg win thanks to Harvey Elliott’s late goal. In the return leg, Ousmane Dembele equalized the tie just 12 minutes in, forcing extra time and a decisive penalty shootout.
Despite their victory, PSG has historically struggled in the Champions League, failing to win the trophy despite heavy investment. Their only final appearance came in 2020, where they lost to Bayern Munich.
PSG kept their composure, converting all four of their penalties. Gianluigi Donnarumma emerged as the hero, saving spot kicks from Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones, ensuring PSG’s place in the quarter-finals.
This season, PSG boasts a younger squad without big egos, led by Dembele, who now has 29 goals. They will face either Aston Villa or Club Brugge in the next round, hoping to finally break their European curse.
However, Slot remains unconvinced about their chances. He acknowledged PSG’s quality but pointed out that many strong teams remain in the tournament. Facing PSG so early was unfortunate, as these matchups usually happen in the semi-finals or final.
Reflecting on the game, Slot called it “the best football match I’ve ever been involved in.” He praised his team’s dominant start but admitted they were unlucky after conceding against the run of play.
With Liverpool now out of Europe, their focus shifts to domestic success. They will turn their attention to Sunday’s Carabao Cup final while maintaining their push for the Premier League title.