Ibrahima Konate has reportedly admitted that he should have been sent off against PSG last week.
Konate, 25, played the full 90 minutes of the Champions League last-16 clash on Wednesday as Liverpool secured a remarkable 1-0 victory despite PSG dominating the clash.
In fact, PSG had 27 shots to the Reds’ two, before Harvey Elliott’s dramatic late winner.
It was a strong rearguard performance from Arne Slot’s side, although they had Alisson to thank after the Brazilian put in a stunning display to help his side take a crucial lead into Tuesday night’s second leg.
However, a contentious moment came in the 25th minute of the match when referee Davide Massa didn’t blow for a foul as Bradley Barcola went down under pressure from Konate when through on goal.
Konate did appear to push his France team-mate, but the incident was checked by VAR who decided against any further action after a two-minute review, meaning no red card was given.
Ibrahima Konate has reportedly admitted he should have been sent off against PSG last week
Konate seemed to shove Bradley Barcola to the ground when the PSG star was through on goal
Despite a two-minute VAR check, Konate managed to escape any further punishment
Luis Enrique’s side were left furious by Massa’s call and PSG sporting director clashed with Virgil van Dijk in the tunnel at half time over the incident, but Konate had pleaded his innocence when speaking after the game.
However, according to a report in French outlet Le Parisien, Konate has privately since admitted to those close to him that Massa made the wrong call.
The report adds the defender believes he did deserve a red card for the challenge.
That admission comes despite Konate’s comments after the game when, speaking to Canal Plus, he rubbished suggestions he should have been sent off.
‘There was a VAR check,’ he said. ‘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.’
The decision not to punish Konate had split opinion, with Van Dijk’s clash at half time with Campos generating traction on social media.
PSG were left incensed by the decision of referee Davide Massa and went on to lose the game
In a clip that circulated of the clash, the Dutchman could be heard saying ‘it’s not Ligue 1 here, bro,’ towards the PSG chief.
However, Rio Ferdinand, who was working on TNT Sports’ coverage of the game, insisted that the coming-together was a foul and should have resulted in a red card.
‘That’s a foul,’ said the Manchester United icon. ‘And that’s in his back, that’s a foul. It’s a red card.’
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‘It’s that’s not a red card, I’ll be amazed,’ added Ferdinand during the VAR checks.
‘And it will be a shame if it does go down to 10 against 11 in that sense, because you want the best players playing it equally in the 90 minutes.’
Speaking at half-time on TNT Sports, Ferdinand added: ‘I can’t believe how lucky Liverpool are here. How has VAR not picked it up.
‘He is barging between the shoulder blades on his back.’
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