Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate Breaks Silence Over Controversial Challenge Against PSG | OneFootball

Paris Saint-Germain had plenty of chances but couldn’t find the back of the net, falling 1-0 to Liverpool on Wednesday night at the Parc des Princes in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash.

Liverpool’s winner came late in the second half, but the match’s biggest controversy happened midway through the first.

The key moment came when Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate brought down Bradley Barcola. VAR reviewed the play to determine whether it was a red card for denying a goal-scoring opportunity, but after a check, the referee let play continue.

Following the win, Konate spoke with French media outlet Canal+, and of course, he was asked about the controversial challenge in the first half.

“There is VAR, everything that’s needed,” Konate said (h/t Canal Supporters). “And for me, no, why would there be a foul? A little push? If there was a little push, I should have gotten a red card, right? I’m telling you no. I’m telling you no. For you, there’s nothing at all? No.

“After that, it’s true that I’m very strong. But I really didn’t use any force, I just used my arm, and that’s it. If I had used a lot more force, okay, we could talk about it. But this was really soft from me.”

This is PSG’s first loss since last November when they fell to Bayern Munich. If they want to advance to the quarterfinals, Luis Enrique and his squad will need to regroup and turn things around at Anfield next week.