Liverpool knocked out of Champions League after penalty defeat to PSG
Liverpool have been eliminated from this season’s Champions League following a penalty shootout loss to Paris Saint-Germain.
Darwin Nunez, who missed a crucial penalty during the shootout on Tuesday night, took to social media to share a brief message with fans.
After a 1-0 defeat at Anfield — which left the tie level 1-1 on aggregate following Liverpool’s victory in Paris — extra time failed to separate the teams, sending the match to penalties.
PSG converted all their spot-kicks, while Mohamed Salah scored Liverpool’s opener before both Nunez and Curtis Jones saw their efforts saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Nunez and Jones speak out after misses
Following the game, both Nunez and Jones addressed their penalty misses on social media. Nunez wrote on Instagram: “Get up and keep going, as always.”
His post drew support from former Liverpool goalkeeper Adrián, who replied: “That’s right,” and from fellow Uruguayan Luis Suarez, who encouraged Nunez with: “As always! Up the scorer.” Teammates Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch also reacted with heart emojis.
Jones shared a longer reflection, saying: “Stepping up and trying to help the team in every moment I can is the type of person that I am. This comes with risk and failing — last night I got a taste of that! I can live with missing, but I can’t live without taking the responsibility. 10 to go. Starting with a cup final Sunday!”
Slot questions Champions League format
After the defeat, Liverpool manager Arne Slot suggested that the current Champions League format might need adjustments. Despite finishing top in the league phase, Liverpool were handed a tough round of 16 draw against PSG.
Speaking to the club’s official website, Slot said: “I’m disappointed to be knocked out, but proud of how we represented ourselves in Europe. Last season, we weren’t even in the Champions League, but this season we showed real quality. We won seven straight games, though we did lose to PSV with a rotated squad. Last week wasn’t our best, but today was a different Liverpool. I think Europe will have taken notice, even in defeat.”
Slot added: “It does make you question the value of finishing top if you can still face a team like PSG next. Maybe I’m speaking too soon, but perhaps teams that top their group should be rewarded with a theoretically easier draw. It’s something to think about for the future.”
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