Following Liverpool's Champions League exit at the hands of Paris St-Germain, manager Arne Slot expressed his disappointment, citing missed chances, injuries, and VAR decisions as key factors. This season, Liverpool have struggled to convert their opportunities into goals, with a significant underperformance in terms of Expected Goals (xG). In the Champions League, the team scored 24 goals from 27.8xG, the largest underperformance among quarter-finalists.
However, in the Premier League, Liverpool's goals total is only 0.65 below their xG total. The Reds have missed 59 of 86 clear-cut openings in the top flight, with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk being among the players who have missed big chances. Injuries have also taken a toll, with Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, and other key players missing significant time. Slot has also been critical of VAR decisions, feeling that they have gone against his team multiple times this season.
Despite the setbacks, Slot remains optimistic about the team's future, citing the quality of young players like Ryan Gravenberch, Ekitike, and Wirtz. To capitalize on this potential, Liverpool need to secure a top-five finish in the Premier League and qualify for the Champions League next season.