Slump in form
Liverpool began the current campaign poorly as Salah’s goals dried up and he clashed with Slot.
PSG is closing in on another French title but Liverpool is fifth in the Premier League, 21 points behind leader Arsenal. Following a crushing 4-0 defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup quarterfinals on Saturday, captain Virgil van Dijk said his team “gave up” and he apologized to fans.
Slot called it a humbling loss and, while he did not agree with Van Dijk’s conclusion, felt his captain was justified in speaking out.
“I think it is good for a captain to have a strong and firm reaction,” Slot said. “Hopefully as a team we can show a strong and firm reaction tomorrow.”
The Dutchman is reportedly clinging onto his job. Salah will be gone next season and, if PSG knocks out Liverpool, a trophy-less season may threaten Slot’s position.
Wirtz said the players back Slot.
“Yes, of course. The team should believe in the manager because they won the league last season,” said Wirtz, who joined in the offseason from Bayer Leverkusen.