Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate is convinced that he didn’t foul Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola despite the hosts calling for him to be sent off during Wednesday’s Champions League clash.
The Reds benefitted from two decisions in the first half, as PSG winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia saw his goal ruled out for offside and Konate escaped a potential red card. Barcola got goal-side of Konate and appeared to be pushed by the Liverpool defender, as PSG was convinced that a goal-scoring opportunity had been denied.
The incident was reviewed via VAR but Konate escaped any punishment, as fans aggressively booed referee Davide Massa inside the Parc des Princes. PSG sporting director Luis Campos was furious at half-time, but Konate denied any wrongdoing after the game.
“There was a VAR check. If there was a push, like you said, I would have been shown a red card,” Konate told Canal Plus. “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.”
At half-time, Campos stormed down the tunnel and was heard shouting “It’s a red card or penalty in every part of the world,” at the officials. PSG head coach Luis Enrique failed to comment on the decision after the game, adding: “I don’t really like to speak about refereeing.”
PSG midfielder Vitinha was honest when offering his assessment of the decision, as he said: “It’s difficult to tell, I was far away so I couldn’t see it. We’re not going to hide behind that.”
(Image: 2025 Franco Arland)
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot praised the referee and believes that the officials handled the Champions League tie well. “It’s not easy if you are a referee in a game like this when the fans are so there for the home team,” Slot said. “I don’t feel he was in favor of us or in favor of them, I think he was a top referee in a game like this.”
It was a brutal game for PSG, who outplayed Liverpool for 90 minutes but suffered a late 1-0 defeat after Harvey Elliott’s 87th-minute winner. Elliott had just entered the game after replacing Mohamed Salah, and scored with his first touch of the game.
Elliott’s goal was Liverpool’s only shot on target, and second effort of the entire game as PSG put their defense under extreme pressure. However, despite taking 27 shots and forcing Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker into making 10 saves, they couldn’t break down the Premier League leaders.
Liverpool now take a 1-0 advantage back to Anfield for the second leg, meaning anything but a defeat will see the team advance to the next round of the Champions League. The second leg takes place on Tuesday, March 11.
