Latest Liverpool news with a hugely controversial Ibrahima Konate incident taking place in the Champions League clash at Paris Saint-Germain
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Updated 21:01, 05 Mar 2025
Ibrahima Konate was involved in a controversial incident with Bradley Barcola during Liverpool vs Paris Saint-Germain
Ibrahima Konate was involved in a controversial incident with Bradley Barcola during Liverpool vs Paris Saint-Germain
(Image: (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images))
Rio Ferdinand and Ally McCoist were both of the belief that Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate should have been sent off for denying a goal-scoring opportunity in the Champions League last-16 first leg against Paris Saint-Germain.
Arne Slot's side were uncharacteristically dominated during the first half in Paris with January signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia denied the opening goal by a marginal offside. Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola also went very close, but Alisson was on hand to make a number of fine saves.
PSG were perhaps unfortunate to not be awarded a penalty midway through the first period when a ball over the top to Barcola caused problems. With Konate chasing behind, just as the young Frenchman was about to shoot, he was shoved in the back by his fellow countrymen.
A VAR check for a possible penalty and red card subsequently ensued but the referee's decision of not spot-kick and thus no sending off was confirmed. Those on commentary for TNT Sport were particularly surprised by the decision with Ferdinand and McCoist making their feelings clear.
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Ferdinand boldly stated: “That is a foul. The push is in the back, so it's a foul. "If that's not a red card I'll be amazed.” McCoist then added: “I thought that was a foul, but anyway that's a good break for Liverpool.”
Former Manchester United and England defender Ferdinand addressed the incident again at half-time, saying: *"*I can't believe how lucky Liverpool have been there.
"If Barcola and Konate were shoulder to shoulder then I get it. But Konate barges him basically on the numbers on his back, between his shoulder blades."
On Sky Sports, former Liverpool full-back Stephen Warnock was of a similar opinion, though he was a little less certain. "It goes in the filing cabinet of 'I've seen them given'. I would feel annoyed if I was a PSG player," he admitted.
Such was the hosts' dominance, Liverpool mustered just one shot in the opening 45 minutes with Mohamed Salah kept quiet by Nuno Mendes while the midfield battle was dominated by Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz and Joao Neves which made it quite clear Liverpool were fortunate to not be behind.