Sam Allardyce has backed Arne Slot's decision to bench Mohamed Salah for the match against Paris Saint-Germain. Despite the defeat in Paris, the former Premier League manager believes Salah's lack of composure in front of goal has become a significant liability for the Reds.

Mohamed Salah made his frustrations clear following Liverpool's Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. The Egyptian star refused to be called for media interviews after his side's 2-0 defeat at the Parc des Princes, although did acknowledge Steven Gerrard on the touchline.

The Dutch coach is managing the Egyptian star’s energy so he is fresh for the upcoming matches. This strategic decision reflects the staff’s commitment to peak performance, injury prevention and sustainable squad rotation. By monitoring workload, recovery and match-day intensity, the technical team aims to optimise the forward’s contribution throughout the busy fixture list. Such careful planning underlines the club’s belief that preserving player wellness is as crucial as tactical preparation, especially when competing on multiple fronts. Fans can expect the star to feature prominently once the schedule eases, ensuring he remains sharp, explosive and decisive in front of goal. In the meantime, the coaching staff will continue to rotate options, trusting other attackers to maintain momentum until their main man returns to full duty.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has raised eyebrows by explaining that his decision to leave Mohamed Salah on the bench against Paris Saint-Germain was because his side was in "survival mode". Despite trailing 2-0 and failing to register a single shot on target, the Egyptian superstar remained an unused substitute throughout the Champions League quarter-final first leg.