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Slot sanguine after Liverpool exit in ‘best game of football I’ve ever been involved in’

PSG beat Liverpool on penalties in Champions LeagueSlot praises teams of an incredible level and intensity Arne Slot described Liverpool s Champions League exit as the finest game of his career after Paris Saint Germain stunned Anfield with victory in a penalty shootout

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The Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma proved the decisive figure in the last-16 second leg with penalty saves from Darwin Núñez and Curtis Jones. The game had gone to extra time and penalties after ­Ousmane Dembélé’s winner cancelled out Liverpool’s first‑leg lead from Paris. PSG converted all four of their penalties in a flawless shootout display.

Slot admitted he was shocked by Liverpool’s exit but could not have asked for more from his team. “That was the best game of football I’ve ever been involved in,” the ­Liverpool head coach said. “Two teams of an incre­dible level and intensity, it was ­unbelievable what we showed in the first 25 minutes. Over 90 ­minutes I don’t think we deserved to lose. Over 180 minutes maybe it was deserved that it went to overtime and in ­overtime I thought maybe PSG were better than us. Then it comes down to penalties and they scored four.

“Of course it is shock but if you have to go out, go out the way we did against one of the best teams in Europe and by making such a fight of it. I hope every fan around the world was hoping this game wouldn’t stop because it was incredible. For us it is so unlucky to finish No 1 in the group and then face PSG.”

Liverpool are likely to be ­without Trent Alexander-Arnold for the ­Carabao Cup final against ­Newcastle on Sunday after he was forced off with an injury. Ibrahima Konaté was also withdrawn but Slot confirmed that was due to fatigue.

Luis Enrique, the PSG head coach, hailed the victory as a momentous step for his team as they attempt to win the club’s first Champions League title. “I think it is really significant moment for us, for the players and the supporters,” he said.

“Either of the …

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