Salah Shows True Colours With Post-Match Professionalism as Liverpool Crumble to PSG

Those quick to criticise Mohamed Salah's temperament might want to reconsider their position after witnessing the consummate professionalism he demonstrated following Liverpool's 2-0 Champions League quarter-final hammering at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday—a display that caught the eye of both Stuart Pearce and Steven Gerrard.

The Egyptian found himself among the substitutes as Arne Slot's men were dismantled by the Ligue 1 outfit in midweek. Goals from Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia sealed a comfortable victory for PSG, one that actually flattered the Merseysiders given how thoroughly they were dominated at the Parc des Princes.

Liverpool deployed a back five for the first time in a Champions League or Premier League fixture since December 2017, a defensive setup that prompted Jamie Carragher to mount a spirited defence of Virgil van Dijk while simultaneously taking aim at Florian Wirtz and a pair of his colleagues. The tactical adjustment was branded "shameful", and Salah's absence from the action throughout the contest presented an unusual sight—though it proved entirely justified given PSG's relentless exploitation of Liverpool's right-hand side.

When questioned about leaving Salah on the bench, Slot explained that his side were essentially in damage-limitation mode by the closing stages. "I think in the last part of the game, it was more about surviving for us than there was ever a chance that we could score," the Liverpool manager stated. "Yeah, you never know, because last season we scored five minutes before the end, Harvey Elliott, when I took Mo off, but I think this was 20-25 minutes where we were only defending. And Mo has so much quality, but for Mo to be 20-25 minutes defending inside his own box, I think it's better for him to save his energy for a lot of games that are coming up in the upcoming weeks."

There remains no question whatsoever that Salah will prove instrumental in the fixtures ahead, particularly given what Pearce observed from the touchline regarding his conduct.

Speaking on talkSPORT, the former England defender remarked: "I'm also watching down here Mo Salah doing his running as well. He's at the front of the running and sometimes this gets unnoticed. People say oh his attitude stunk when he come off. He done this, he done that. If ever there's a time where a players attitude is going to stink, it's Mo Salah with six or seven games to go on his Liverpool career not being brought on when they need a goal. He's got every opportunity for his attitude to stink and he's out there doing the running with the team the box to box work that they do after games. So you've got to commend him for that. I know it's his job. I understand that."

Indeed, he completed the post-match recovery routine with the squad. Gerrard shares Pearce's assessment of the winger's character.

Speaking to TNT Sports, the former Liverpool skipper said: "Credit to him, he's just stayed behind and done extra running. If there wasn't a midweek game Wednesday probably would be your big session so in his mind he's already thinking of Fulham on Saturday which shows the pro and mentality that you're dealing with."

Quite the professional, participating in the prescribed recovery work to stave off injury. That "mentality" separates Salah from his peers—all of whom, naturally, perform their post-match running when benched. A player who skipped the warm-down would certainly merit attention. One who completes it? That's simply what professionals do.