Laurens Slams Slot's Liverpool Lineup Choice in PSG Defeat
Julien Laurens didn’t hold back after Liverpool’s Champions League exit at the hands of Paris St-Germain. The French football journalist called manager Arne Slot’s decision to start Alexander Isak — who hadn’t played a full match since December — “complete nonsense.”
Slot left Mohamed Salah on the bench again, just like in the first leg, and only brought him on early due to an injury to Hugo Ekitike. By then, Liverpool were already struggling to create anything meaningful. The Reds made a double change at halftime, swapping Isak for Cody Gakpo and Jeremie Frimpong for Joe Gomez, which sparked a better second-half performance. But it was too little, too late.
Why the lineup raised eyebrows
Isak’s inclusion from the start baffled analysts and former players alike. According to Laurens, the striker looked completely unprepared: “He made two passes and touched the ball five times. They played with 10 men in the first half.”
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock echoed that sentiment, pointing out Isak’s poor showing even in domestic matches leading up to the game. “He was non-existent against PSG. Gakpo did more in five minutes than Isak did in the whole first half,” Warnock said.
The stats back this up. Liverpool managed just four shots in the first 45 minutes but exploded with 17 attempts after halftime — yet couldn’t convert any into goals. Meanwhile, PSG scored twice in the first half and barely needed to press after the break.
Tactical missteps or deeper issues?
This wasn’t just about one player. Slot’s repeated reluctance to start Salah in high-stakes European games has become a talking point. In both legs against PSG, Salah began on the bench despite being Liverpool’s top scorer and most consistent attacking threat all season.
Laurens argued that the team needed energy and sharpness from minute one — especially at Anfield, where crowd support can be a real weapon. Instead, the cautious approach handed PSG control early and forced Liverpool into catch-up mode.
Key concerns raised by pundits include:
- Fitness vs. faith: Starting a player with almost no match fitness in a must-win knockout game.
- Ignoring form: Leaving Salah out despite his recent performances suggesting he should lead the line.
- Reactive, not proactive: Making critical changes at halftime instead of setting the right tone from kickoff.
What this means for Liverpool’s future
The loss ends Liverpool’s Champions League run earlier than expected and puts extra pressure on Slot as he navigates his first full season in charge. Questions are mounting about his in-game decision-making and whether he’s fully grasping the demands of elite European competition.
Fans might also wonder if the club’s injury crisis — particularly in attack — is being handled optimally. With key forwards sidelined for much of the season, relying on fringe or returning players in pivotal moments carries obvious risk.
Still, there’s no denying Liverpool showed fight in the second half. Had they started with that intensity, the outcome could’ve been different. But football rarely rewards “what ifs.”
Key takeaways
- Arne Slot’s decision to start Alexander Isak over Mohamed Salah drew heavy criticism from experts.
- Isak showed clear signs of lacking match fitness, contributing almost nothing in the first half.
- Liverpool’s second-half surge came too late after a passive opening 45 minutes.
- Tactical choices in both legs suggest a recurring pattern of overly cautious lineup decisions in big games.
- The defeat raises broader questions about Slot’s readiness for high-pressure European nights.
— Editorial Team
