Liverpool manager Arne Slot believes the team's Champions League exit could actually benefit their Premier League campaign. After a 4-0 aggregate loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the quarterfinals, the Reds now focus entirely on securing a top-five finish.

Slot's squad sits fifth in the Premier League table, four points ahead of Chelsea and three behind Aston Villa and Manchester United with six games remaining. The manager noted that many of Liverpool's most-used players have logged heavy minutes this season, potentially explaining their inconsistency and late-game defensive lapses.

The absence from European competition means Liverpool will have a lighter schedule than some rivals. Slot acknowledged this could help with squad freshness but emphasized he'd prefer to still be competing in Europe. "I would definitely prefer to play in Europe because that also gives an energy to the group," he said, adding that the team now has more training time.