Slot Defends Liverpool's Character After City Mauling; Isak Cleared for PSG Return

Arne Slot has moved to bat away Virgil van Dijk's suggestion that his teammates downed tools during Liverpool's humbling 4-0 defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals, though the manager has confirmed Alexander Isak is in contention for Wednesday's Champions League first-leg showdown with PSG.

The Reds will head to the Parc des Princes looking to restore some semblance of pride after a dismal showing at The Etihad, where they shipped four goals and offered precious little resistance.

Van Dijk took the unusual step of apologising to the Anfield faithful in the aftermath, suggesting his colleagues had essentially surrendered once the scoreline spiralled beyond reach. When pressed on the captain's comments, Slot offered a more nuanced take on proceedings.

The Liverpool boss acknowledged that the timing of concessions—particularly the third goal arriving immediately after the interval—had left his side chasing shadows. He noted a five-minute spell where defensive discipline evaporated, though he stopped short of accusing his players of mentally checking out.

"I didn't see players giving up," Slot explained, "but it is good for a captain to have a strong and firm reaction after a game like that. Hopefully it is not only immediately after the game and that, as a team we can show a strong and firm reaction tomorrow evening."

The manager outlined how City seemed content to cruise once they'd reached four, allowing Liverpool periods of possession without genuine threat. Still, the narrative around a team lacking character will sting regardless.

On the injury front, Isak has travelled to Paris having completed close to a week of team training sessions since his December leg fracture against Tottenham. The Swedish forward, absent from the City debacle, will not be thrust into the starting XI but could feature from the bench should Slot deem him ready.

"He can play a part, otherwise I wouldn't take him," Slot said. "I didn't take him to the Etihad because we felt he wasn't able to get a performance yet. We think we can get a performance out of him now, but not to start."

Liverpool arrive in France as underdogs against Luis Enrique's outfit, who dismantled Chelsea en route to this stage. Yet Slot is refusing to accept an underdog mentality, pointing to last season's meetings as evidence the tie remains competitive.

He recalled that PSG's 4-0 victory in Paris owed much to Alisson's heroics, while Liverpool deserved to win at Anfield. The manager believes his reconstructed squad will present a different proposition this time around, with PSG having maintained their core while Liverpool have undergone more considerable upheaval.

"I don't think it matters if there is a favourite," Slot insisted. "It's only about two games, a lot can happen in two games."