Ibrahima Konate has called for the Premier League to change their stance on postponing fixtures for Champions League clubs after Liverpool’s 2-0 loss to PSG.
Liverpool headed to PSG on Wednesday with a plan for damage limitation, with Arne Slot‘s belief that their best chance of winning the tie would be at Anfield.
However they also know that while they face a tough clash with Fulham in between the two legs, their opponents will be given a full week’s rest after their meeting with RC Lens was postponed by Ligue 1.
It follows a trend of French clubs being granted breaks in the domestic schedule to improve their chances in Europe – which was proved particularly effective with Champions League holders PSG.
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And speaking to Stan Sport after the 2-0 defeat in Paris, Konate urged the Premier League to follow Ligue 1’s lead.
“I wish we had the same thing in the Premier League, but it’s completely different,” he said.
“In a way I’m happy for them, because it’s good for them and I think the league helps them to win something in the Champions League.
“I hope the Premier League is going to do the same in the future for the teams who play in the Champions League as well. Why not this season?”
PARIS, FRANCE - APRIL 08: Players of Paris Saint-Germain pose for a team photograph prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final First Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain FC and Liverpool FC at Parc des Princes on April 08, 2026 in Paris, France. (Photo by Stuart Franklin - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
The decision to postpone PSG’s trip to Lens – which will now be held on May 13, making it the penultimate game of the Ligue 1 season – was hugely controversial with the latter criticising a system which favours the biggest clubs.
Lens are four points behind PSG in Ligue 1 and would clearly have preferred a home clash with their title rivals to be held between the Champions League quarter-final ties.
That would also be the case if the same was applied in the Premier League, where any changes to the fixture list must be agreed upon by both clubs – and in this case, any request would no doubt be rejected by Fulham.
PARIS, FRANCE - Wednesday, April 8, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot and Florian Wirtz after the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final 1st Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain FC and Liverpool FC at the Parc des Princes. The game ended 2-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Konate’s plea is wholly unrealistic and serves as an attempt to shift the blame from Slot, his players and those employed to build a squad capable of competing on all fronts.
Liverpool have long known the challenges of going deep in the Champions League as well as battling at the top end of the Premier League and vying for the domestic cups, but still favour a smaller squad.
Rather than asking for help from the powers that be, the onus remains on the clubs to find solutions to the long-standing problems they face.
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