Mohamed Salah Hailed for Post Match Professionalism Following Champions League Bench Sitting in Paris

Steven Gerrard and Stuart Pearce hail Mohamed Salah’s elite professionalism after his post-match running following Liverpool’s loss to PSG.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 9, 2026, 8:42 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Football365

Elite Standards Maintained Amid European Setback

Mohamed Salah’s professionalism has become a central talking point in the aftermath of Liverpool’s demoralizing 2-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes. While the Egyptian international spent the entirety of the Champions League quarter-final on the bench, his conduct after the final whistle drew significant attention from observers. Former England international Stuart Pearce reported seeing Salah leading the post match running drills, demonstrating a level of dedication that Pearce suggested often goes unnoticed by the wider public. This display of work ethic occurs at a sensitive time for the forward, who is widely expected to depart Anfield at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season, marking a significant transition for the club’s attacking lineup.

Gerrard Highlights Preparation for Domestic Challenges

Steven Gerrard, speaking in his capacity as a pundit for TNT Sports, echoed Pearce’s sentiments by emphasizing the mental fortitude required to train at high intensity immediately after a major disappointment. Gerrard noted that Salah’s decision to stay behind for extra running was a clear indicator of his focus on the upcoming Premier League fixture against Fulham. According to Gerrard, this "pro" mentality distinguishes world class athletes from their peers, as Salah chose to prioritize his physical readiness over any potential frustration regarding his lack of playing time in Paris. This focus on the "next job" is seen as a vital asset for a Liverpool squad currently struggling to find consistency in their domestic title chase.

Tactical Survival Dictates Bench Role

The decision to omit Salah from the match against PSG was a tactical maneuver by Arne Slot, who described the final 25 minutes of the game as a period of "survival" for his team. Slot explained that with Liverpool trailing 2-0 and under intense pressure from the Ligue 1 champions, the game demanded defensive discipline rather than attacking flair. The manager suggested that asking Salah to defend deep inside his own box would have been an inefficient use of his talents. Instead, Slot opted to preserve the winger’s energy for the heavy schedule of games remaining in the season, a choice that underscored the pragmatic approach the Reds were forced to take against a dominant Parisian side.