Craig Foster has sharply criticised Arne Slot for “talking rubbish” after the Liverpool manager attempted to focus on the positives following his side’s unexpected defeat in the Champions League on Wednesday (AEDT). The thrilling encounter concluded with a 1-0 win for each team in their respective legs, leading to a penalty shootout which PSG won 4-1, securing their progression to the quarter-finals.
Liverpool performed well in Paris, while PSG dominated at Anfield; each team had their moments, with Foster contending that Slot’s comparison of performances was unfounded. During a discussion on Stan Sport, Foster pointed out that Slot’s assertions about their match being on par with PSG’s performance the previous week were inaccurate. He remarked on the imbalance in chances created, highlighting that while Liverpool succeeded with only one shot on target last week, PSG had multiple opportunities to score early in their match.
Foster firmly stated, “He’s talking rubbish. What Liverpool did today to PSG was not on the same planet to what PSG did to them last week.”
Gianluigi Donnarumma’s impressive goalkeeper skills were crucial in the shootout, allowing PSG to advance alongside other clubs such as Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Inter Milan.
PSG’s coach, Luis Enrique, commented on the match, stating, “It does not matter if we deserve the win. Both teams deserved to go through.” He acknowledged PSG’s stronger showing in the first leg and praised his team for their resilience at Anfield, reiterating their ambition to win the Champions League title, having faced setbacks in previous tournaments.
Meanwhile, Slot, in his first season replacing Jurgen Klopp, expressed pride in his team’s performance, calling it the best match he has ever been a part of. He felt his side showed promise and skill despite the outcome, describing their play as exceptional compared to their earlier encounter.
Next up, PSG will face either Aston Villa or Club Brugge, who battle it out on Thursday (AEDT).