Agbonlahor Slams 'Lazy' Ekitike as Disgrace Following Liverpool’s Champions League Defeat to PSG

Former striker Gabby Agbonlahor slams 'lazy' Hugo Ekitike as Arne Slot's future at Liverpool is questioned following a 2-0 Champions League defeat to PSG.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 10, 2026, 4:31 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Football365

Strike Force Under Fire After Static European Display

Liverpool’s offensive struggles reached a critical point on Wednesday evening as the club failed to register a single goal against Paris Saint-Germain, leaving their Champions League campaign in jeopardy. Hugo Ekitike, who led the line in the absence of the late Diogo Jota, was singled out for his perceived lack of work rate and technical failures during the 2-0 quarter-final first-leg defeat. According to former England international Gabby Agbonlahor, the Frenchman appeared "lazy" and was "an absolute disgrace" throughout the match. Agbonlahor noted that Ekitike consistently surrendered possession in one-on-one situations, failing to provide the physical presence required to disrupt the dominant PSG backline.

Managerial Tension High as Salah Remains on the Bench

A significant point of contention following the defeat was Arne Slot’s decision to leave club legend Mohamed Salah on the bench for the duration of the match. Despite making five substitutions as the team chased a goal at the Parc des Princes, Slot opted for younger prospects over the veteran Egyptian, who has already confirmed his departure from Anfield this summer. This selection choice has fueled speculation regarding a breakdown in the relationship between the manager and his star winger. According to Agbonlahor, the refusal to use Salah in a high-stakes European fixture suggests that the players may no longer be "fighting" for the manager, a sentiment echoed by talkSPORT host Alan Brazil.

Slot Defends Squad Spirit Amid Record Defensive Slump

Despite the mounting criticism, Arne Slot maintained a defiant stance during his post-match press conference, praising his players for their defensive resilience. Slot argued that the team showed "fighting spirit" by putting bodies behind the ball to prevent a more humiliating scoreline against a PSG side that recorded 17 shots on goal. The Dutchman acknowledged that the French champions were the superior team but pointed to Liverpool’s historic ability to overturn deficits at Anfield as a reason for optimism. However, with 17 defeats already recorded this season, Slot’s defensive-heavy tactics have been widely condemned as "survival mode" by supporters and analysts alike.