Following Liverpool's Champions League exit at the hands of Paris St-Germain, manager Arne Slot expressed his frustration over missed opportunities, injuries, and VAR decisions in the post-match press conference. This season, Slot has consistently lamented Liverpool's inability to capitalize on scoring chances, with the team's xG significantly exceeding actual goals scored. Against PSG, Liverpool notched 1.92 Expected Goals but failed to find the net, exemplifying this trend. In the Champions League, Liverpool's underperformance in terms of xG is notable, with the team scoring 24 goals from 27.8xG.
However, in the Premier League, their goals total is only 0.65 below their xG total, with nine teams having a worse differential. The conversion rate of big chances is a significant concern, with Liverpool missing 59 of 86 clear-cut openings in the top flight.
Players like Curtis Jones, Florian Wirtz, and Alexis Mac Allister have underperformed their individual xG totals, while Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk have been particularly costly in missing big chances. Injuries have also played a significant role, with Alexander Isak struggling with injuries, including a broken leg, and fellow summer signings Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike not being able to combine often enough due to various setbacks. First-choice keeper Alisson, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Jeremie Frimpong, Wataru Endo, and Joe Gomez have also faced significant time on the sidelines.
VAR decisions have been another point of contention for Slot, who feels that several calls have gone against his team this season. The overturning of a penalty awarded to Mac Allister against PSG is the latest example.
Despite acknowledging some favorable decisions in the first leg, Slot's frustration with the officials is clear, citing instances like the ruled-out Van Dijk header against Man City and Man Utd scoring while Mac Allister was injured. With Liverpool facing a trophyless season and pressure mounting to secure a top-five finish for a Champions League spot, Slot remains optimistic about the team's future, given the quality of young players like Ryan Gravenberch, Ekitike, Wirtz, Bradley, and Milos Kerkez.
The potential of 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha also offers promise, but Slot and Liverpool need results in the final six games to capitalize on this potential next season as a Champions League club.