Following Liverpool's Champions League exit at the hands of Paris St-Germain, we examine Arne Slot's post-match comments to determine if his reasoning for the team's struggles this season holds up to scrutiny. Slot has consistently lamented Liverpool's inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities, a trend that continued in the Champions League, where the team scored 24 goals from 27.8 expected goals, the largest underperformance among quarterfinalists. However, the picture is less bleak in the Premier League, where Liverpool's goal total is only 0.65 below their expected goals total. The team's struggles with converting big chances have been particularly costly, with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk being among the players who have underperformed in this regard.
Injuries have also played a significant role, with key players like Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike missing significant time. Slot has also expressed frustration with the officials, citing several instances where decisions have gone against his team, including a controversial VAR call in the Champions League match against PSG. Despite the challenges, Slot remains optimistic about the team's future, citing the quality of young players like Ryan Gravenberch, Ekitike, and Wirtz.
With six games remaining in the Premier League campaign, Slot and Liverpool need to secure a top-five finish to ensure a Champions League spot for next season.