Ibrahima Konate
Ibrahima Konate escaped a red card against PSG
Ibrahima Konate insisted he was innocent after being spared by VAR in Liverpool’s win vs PSG.
The Reds secured a slender 1-0 success at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday evening. Harvey Elliott’s late goal sealed victory despite the French champions dominating the majority of the game.
It could have been very different had the hosts been handed a penalty following an incident between Konate and Bradley Barcola. The French defender appeared to take down his opponent with a free run at goal.
No penalty nor red card were initially given, while Konate was also given a reprieve upon a VAR review. The decision left PSG chief Luis Campos furious, who could be heard shouting "It's a red card or penalty in every part of the world ” at referee Davide Massa in the tunnel.
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Konate has now spoken out on the incident and is sure that PSG were not deserving of a spot-kick. Speaking to Canal Plus, he said: “There was a VAR check. If there was a push, like you said, I would have been shown a red card.
“I’m telling you that there wasn’t a foul. It’s true that I am very strong but I don’t apply power, I just put my arm. If I had put a lot more power into it then we could talk about it… but it was soft from me.”
And while Konate and Campos made their feelings on the incident very clear, there were a few more considered responses. PSG midfielder Vitinha admitted that the lack of a penalty was no excuse for the French champions.
"It's difficult to tell, I was far away so I couldn't see it," he said. "We're not going to hide behind that."
VAR
Konate was given a reprieve by VAR vs PSG ( Image: Getty Images)
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Meanwhile, PSG coach Luis Enrique remained tight-lipped as he added: "I don't really like to speak about refereeing."
Slot however was full of praise for Massa and his performance during the game. The Dutchman said: "It's not easy if you are a referee in a game like this when the fans are so there for the home team. I don't feel he was in favour of us or in favour of them, I think he was a top referee in a game like this."
Liverpool and PSG will renew rivalries next week as each of them attempt to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League. The winners of the tie will take on either Aston Villa or Club Brugge in the next-round - the former 3-1 up after the first leg.
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