Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate was fortunate to escape a red card in his side’s 2-1 win over Wolves on Sunday. Konate was already on a yellow card when he clattered into Matheus Cunha on the edge of the box, but referee Simon Hooper chose not to show him a second yellow.
Wolves boss Vitor Pereira was left frustrated by the decision, feeling that Konate’s challenge warranted a second yellow card and a subsequent red card. Pereira told Sky Sports that the decision could have changed the course of the game, which ultimately ended in defeat for his side.
Konate’s first yellow card was awarded after he tugged back Cunha on the break, and he was then lucky to avoid a second booking for kicking the ball away. The Liverpool defender’s challenge on Cunha on the edge of the box was deemed only worthy of a free-kick by Hooper, much to the dismay of Pereira and the Wolves players.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp felt that Konate was “extremely lucky” to avoid a second yellow card, and that his challenge on Cunha was “really clumsy.” Redknapp also noted that Konate’s first booking was “definitely one” for stopping a counter-attack.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot defended Hooper’s decision, feeling that Konate’s second challenge was not worthy of a yellow card. Slot told Sky Sports that he took Konate off at half-time because he felt that the defender was under too much pressure, and that every subsequent foul could have led to a red card.
The decision to keep Konate on the pitch was not the only contentious issue in the game, with Wolves also feeling aggrieved over the award of a penalty to Liverpool. Mohamed Salah’s converted spot-kick proved to be the winner, but Pereira felt that the decision was incorrect.
Redknapp felt that the penalty was “definitely” the correct decision, but acknowledged that there was a nudge by Luis Diaz on Emmanuel Agbadou in the build-up. Pereira chose not to comment on the decision after the game, but it was clear that he felt that the referee had made an error.
The win over Wolves was Liverpool’s second in a row, and moved them seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table. Despite the controversy surrounding Konate’s challenge, Slot was pleased with his side’s performance, and felt that they deserved the three points.
