In the wake of Liverpool's heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to Paris Saint-Germain, manager Arne Slot was taken aback when reporters immediately shifted the conversation to the contract situations of key players Mo Salah, Virgil Van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The Reds were eliminated from the Champions League after a tense match that saw Ousmane Dembele equalize, forcing the game into penalties where PSG's Gianluigi Donnarumma proved decisive, saving attempts from Curtis Jones and Darwin Nuñez. This defeat marked a rare setback during a season previously filled with triumphs for Liverpool.

While trying to process the loss, Slot expressed frustration with the focus on player contracts: "It is creative to come up with the contract situation," he remarked. "That is the last thing I am thinking of right now. Liverpool showed their qualities, and hopefully, they have more luck next year."

The contracts of Salah, Van Dijk, and Alexander-Arnold, all set to expire this summer, have been in the spotlight as they are central to the team's success. Fans have been anxiously awaiting news on contract renewals, but so far, there have been no announcements from the club.

As thoughts turn back to Tuesday's painful exit, Liverpool's impressive journey this season is dampened by this defeat, especially since they had topped the league phase before facing PSG, a fellow favorite. Liverpool's progression to the quarter-finals seemed promising after a narrow 1-0 victory in the first leg, but ultimately, they could not capitalize on their advantages at Anfield.

Slot lamented, "After 90 minutes, it felt clear we deserved more. I was waiting for us to score. They threatened us once or twice, but we played a perfect game except for not being able to find the net. It feels a bit unfair to go out at this stage."

Despite the setback in Europe, Liverpool is set to refocus on domestic competitions, with a Carabao Cup final against Newcastle on the horizon. The Reds, aiming to shake off the disappointment from their recent match, hope to claim their first trophy of the season at Wembley.

In addition, Liverpool holds a commanding position in the Premier League, sitting 15 points ahead of Arsenal with only nine matches left to secure a potential record-equalling 20th league title. Slot emphasized that the team must remain focused and resilient, stating, "Now it is clear what we have to do for the rest of the season."

With both domestic glory and player futures hanging in the balance, anticipation builds for what’s next for Liverpool and their stars. Will they bounce back and lift the Carabao Cup? And what will happen with the contracts of their crucial players? Stay tuned as the drama unfolds!