‘So unlucky’ – Liverpool boss Arne Slot blames new Champions League format for ‘shock’ last 16 exit vs PSG | OneFootball

Anfield witnessed heartbreak as Liverpool bowed out of the Champions League in the round of 16 stage.

They fell 4-1 on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain after a frantic second-leg battle at Anfield.

The French champions had never won a European penalty shoot-out before Tuesday’s bout, but they held their nerve to progress to the quarter-finals.

Liverpool nudged in front after clinching a narrow 1-0 win in Paris last week.

However, Ousmane Dembele’s 12th-minute strike at Anfield was enough to send the tie to extra time and eventually penalties.

PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma emerged as the hero for the French champions, keeping out Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones to secure a 4-1 win for Luis Enrique’s troops.

Unlike the first leg, which was largely a one-way street before Liverpool performed a smash and grab, the battle at Anfield was a more closely fought, end-to-end contest.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Slot rued the new Champions League format after coasting through the league phase only to be handed a last-16 tie against PSG.

The Dutchman vowed that his side will come back stronger next season.

“If you have to go out, then go out in the way like we did against one of the best teams in Europe, making such a fight out of it.

“They [PSG], in the end, won, and for us, it is so, so, so unlucky if you are No.1 in the league table that you then face PSG, which is one of the best teams in Europe.

“But that’s the format we are in. We have to accept it, and we will come back stronger next season.”

Liverpool have to pick themselves up quickly with another crucial cup fixture fast approaching.

The Reds are gearing up to take on Newcastle United in the EFL Cup final and will be hoping to atone for their Champions League heartbreak at Wembley Stadium.