Liverpool star Mohamed Salah urges PSG to “go win it” after dramatic UCL exit on penalties
Liverpool forward and Egyptian football icon Mohamed Salah has opened up about the respectful and motivating message he shared with Paris Saint-Germain players after Liverpool’s painful exit from the UEFA Champions League.
The Reds were knocked out of the tournament in the Round of 16 after a tense encounter with PSG that ended 1-1 on aggregate. The French side eventually triumphed 4-1 in a penalty shootout, booking their place in the quarterfinals.
Speaking in a recent interview with L’Équipe, as relayed by Mirror and Sportskeeda, Salah detailed the exchange he had with the PSG squad after the match, praising their performance while also acknowledging the narrow margins of the result.
“In this match, everything was 50/50,” Salah told L’Équipe. “Who deserved to qualify more? No one could say. We had a very good second leg, they had a very good first leg.”
The two-legged tie was a tale of two halves. PSG dominated the first leg in Paris, winning 1-0 in front of a raucous home crowd. However, Liverpool responded in the return leg at Anfield with a spirited performance that saw the match end 1-0 in their favor after 90 minutes. With no further goals in extra time, the match went to penalties.
Salah, who has long been lauded for his professionalism and humility on and off the pitch, revealed how he approached PSG players immediately after the penalty shootout, which saw Liverpool miss three spot-kicks.
“And you lose on penalties… sometimes it’s your day. Sometimes it’s mine. It was their day,” Salah said.
“No one would say, ‘They deserved it 100 per cent!’ No. The first leg, yes. The second, no. It’s the same for us. The second leg, yes. The first, no. It was their day and I shook the players’ hands afterward, I said to them: ‘Congratulations, go win it!’ and that was it.”
Salah’s gesture reflects the sportsmanship that has defined much of his career. Despite the crushing disappointment of another Champions League exit, the Egyptian international maintained his dignity and offered encouragement to the opposition.
Following their exit, Liverpool quickly turned their focus back to domestic matters. The Merseyside club rebounded emphatically and clinched the 2024/25 Premier League title, marking their second league triumph under Jürgen Klopp and ending Manchester City’s recent domestic dominance.
Liverpool’s Premier League campaign was characterized by consistency, resilience, and a high-scoring attack led by Salah, who once again hit double digits in both goals and assists. The Reds sealed the title with two games to spare after a dominant 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield.
Meanwhile, PSG have continued their strong form in Europe and are now just one step away from UEFA Champions League glory. After dispatching Liverpool, the Ligue 1 champions went on to defeat Arsenal 3-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals. Their 2-1 win in London, followed by a 1-0 home victory in the return leg, secured their place in the final.
The Parisians will now face Italian giants Inter Milan in the Champions League final, which is set to take place in Munich’s Allianz Arena later this month. With stars like Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé in top form, PSG are aiming to lift the prestigious trophy for the first time in the club’s history.
Salah’s message to PSG — “go win it” — now resonates more than ever, as the French club stands on the brink of making history.
For Liverpool, however, the focus now shifts to sustaining their domestic dominance and retooling for another push at European silverware next season. With manager Jürgen Klopp set to remain at the helm and key players like Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Virgil van Dijk committed to the club’s vision, Liverpool’s future remains bright.
Despite another early exit in Europe, Salah’s leadership and maturity continue to set an example for younger players. His post-match comments highlight not only his commitment to the game but also the high standard of respect he upholds, even in defeat.
“Football is a game of moments,” Salah said. “Sometimes you win, sometimes you don’t. But you always respect the opponent and the sport.”
With Liverpool now crowned champions of England and PSG preparing for their Champions League showdown, the 2024/25 season remains one of drama, redemption, and high-stakes football.
Whether PSG can capitalize on their opportunity and make Salah’s message prophetic will be answered on the grandest stage in Munich.
