Ibrahima Konate’s challenge on Bradley Barcola was checked by VAR for a potential red card
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Rio Ferdinand believes that Ibrahima Konate should have been sent-off in Liverpool’s 1-0 Champions League last-16 first leg win over Paris Saint-Germain.
The incident in question occurred midway through the first-half at the Parc des Princes as Konate appeared to have pushed Bradley Barcola in the back, thus sending the PSG winger to the ground.
Replays showed contact was made just outside the area, which made any penalty claims redundant.
Though the Liverpool defender could have been sent-off for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Reacting to the incident in real time, Ferdinand, who was on co-commentary duty for TNT Sports said: “That’s a foul. The push is in the back.
“If that’s not a red card, I’ll be amazed. It will be a shame if they go down to ten men because you want the best players on the pitch for 90 minutes, but it’s a foul.”
However, after the incident was checked by VAR, the decision was made to stick with the on-field decision and Ferdinand admitted he could not believe how “lucky” Liverpool were especially after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s goal was ruled out for offside minutes earlier.
“Liverpool have to wake up now because they’ve had two scares,” he added. “They’ve been bamboozled. They’ve got to wake up.
“They’re lucky not to be two goals behind with ten men. I can’t believe how lucky Liverpool have been there.
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“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. How has VAR not picked that up?”
Even with Konate on the pitch, PSG still manage to breach the Liverpool defence on countless occasions but could not find a way past Alisson Becker who was outstanding on the night.
A combination of a goalkeeping masterclass and Harvey Elliott’s goal in the 87th minute means the Reds have the advantage heading into next week’s second leg at Anfield.