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Liverpool Echo

Mohamed Salah left in tears after PSG loss as Dominik Szoboszlai fumes at Liverpool decision

Moments you might have missed during Liverpool's Champions League exit at the hands of PSG

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 11: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool looks dejected after their defeat in the penalty shootout during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield on March 11, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
A clearly dejected Mohamed Salah after Liverpool's penalty shoot-out defeat to PSG saw them exit the Champions League at the last-16 stage(Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)

Liverpool are out of the Champions League. The Reds were knocked out on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain after a deflating defeat at Anfield on Tuesday night.

To rub salt in the wounds for Arne Slot’s men, they lost Trent Alexander-Arnold to an ankle injury and had to come through a gruelling 120 minutes against the in-form side in Europe, just days before facing Newcastle United in the League Cup final at Wembley.


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Consequently, the tie unfolded exactly how Slot would not have wanted. And on a night to forget for Liverpool, the ECHO takes a look at some of the moments that might have gone under the radar…

READ MORE: Virgil van Dijk makes blunt admission on Liverpool future after talking to PSG bossesREAD MORE: 'A change in personnel' - National media identify Liverpool transfer issue Arne Slot 'mindful of' after PSG loss

Fans fume at referee

Referee Istvan Kovacs was not a popular man at Anfield. Liverpool appeals for fouls repeatedly went ignored throughout proceedings, leaving Slot raging on the sidelines.


Supporters made their feelings felt when they booed the officials from the pitch at half-time, before cheering ironically when Kovacs awarded the Reds their first free-kick of the game in the 46th minute and booked Marquinhos for a foul on Luis Diaz.

Meanwhile, PSG’s travelling supporters were angered by a different man entirely. As Alisson Becker came out to warm up at the start of the first half, they booed and whistled loudly, no doubt still scorned by the Brazilian’s heroics last week in Paris.

Salah checks on Trent


Mohamed Salah and Alexander-Arnold made headlines on Monday after the pair were seemingly involved in an angry exchange in open training, as their team-mates had to intervene and pull them apart.

However, the ECHO reported that those closer to the day-to-day ongoings at the training ground insisted it was all light-hearted ribbing between two close team-mates, while they were both later spotted laughing and joking together after training.

If there was any doubt, the pair both embraced ahead of kick-off at Anfield while a concerned Salah was the first player over the check on Alexander-Arnold after he injured his ankle and play was stopped for him to receive treatment. Nothing sinister to see here.


Donnarumma enrages Anfield

It is sod’s law that Gianluigi Donnarumma was PSG’s shootout hero at Anfield, saving from both Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones, after a rather shaky performance.

He was partly at fault for Harvey Elliott’s winner in Paris last week, and was unconvincing throughout in the 120 minutes on Tuesday night as he flapped at crosses and demonstrated the most erratic kicking under pressure.


While home supporters enjoyed his wayward passing, Liverpool were unable to take advantage. But jeers turned to boos in the second half after the Italian went down off the ball in the midst of a spell of Reds pressure.

Booed as a result as he received treatment, his subsequent touches were also booed with it quickly becoming clear that any issue he suffered was only minor at worst. The goalkeeper had the last laugh though, having successfully taken the sting out of the game before stepping up in the shoot-out.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 11: Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool reacts on the bench, after being substituted during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield on March 11, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Dominik Szoboszlai reacts on the bench after being taken off in extra-time of Liverpool's Champions League defeat to PSG(Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Sulky Szoboszlai

Dominik Szoboszlai was replaced at half-time in extra-time, with it abundantly clear just how unimpressed the Hungarian was with Slot’s decision.

The midfielder was spotted shaking his head on the dugout after another lung-busting display. Alexis Mac Allister was also less than pleased when replaced at the end of 90 minutes.


The pair would likely have taken penalties if they had still been on the pitch, so maybe in hindsight they had a point. Though if they play a decisive role at Wembley, Slot will feel more than justified.

Salah in tears

Salah was the only player to score for Liverpool in the shoot-out, as Jarell Quansah was left to console a devastated Nunez following the Uruguayan’s spot-kick miss.


The Egyptian was left in tears, with the Reds’ exit likely having its own ramifications for him personally. While dealing a big blow to any individual hopes of Ballon d’Or glory, there also remains the possibility that he has now played his last Champions League match for the club - should he leave the club at the end of his contract

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Mohamed Salah was clearly upset after Liverpool exited the Champions League
Mohamed Salah was clearly upset after Liverpool exited the Champions League(Image: TNT SPORTS)

Hakimi departs quietly

Achraf Hakimi was one of the PSG stars who had been adamant his side would win at Anfield ahead of Tuesday night’s second leg. Fair enough, he was proven right, but his comments earned him few fans in Liverpool.

He earned the wrath of Reds further at full-time as he broke away from celebrations to run to the centre circle and hold aloft a PSG flag to the remaining Liverpool supporters in the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand, Kop and Main Stand.


"Where's your European Cup!?" was the Kop’s response after booing the Moroccan.

The full-back wasn’t as antagonistic when departing through the mixed zone though. Donning a sheepish smirk, he kept his head down as he avoided interview requests.

He was holding some material too, as he had done when handed the PSG flag on the Anfield turf. But on closer inspection, it appeared to be his shirt from a night to remember for the Parisians.

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Liverpool won’t forget either though. Hakimi’s actions post-match will likely earn him Anfield pantomime villain status for life. Until we meet again.

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Mohamed SalahDarwin NunezJarell QuansahDominik SzoboszlaiTrent Alexander-ArnoldLiverpool FCAlisson
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