‘That tells you’: Dermot Gallagher gives verdict on Ibrahima Konate controversy v Everton

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Just as we expected, the Merseyside derby between Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool and Sean Dyche’s Everton at Anfield this past weekend was controversial.

Liverpool beat Everton 2-0 in the Premier League this past Saturday.

Mohamed Salah scored both goals for the Reds.

Salah found the back of the net first in the 75th minute from the penalty spot.

It was a controversial decision to award Liverpool the spot kick.

The Egyptian forward scored again in the seventh minute of injury time.

Everton went down to 10 men in the 37th minute when Ashley Young was sent off for two bookable offences.

Liverpool themselves could have been reduced to 10 men midway through the second half.

Ibrahima Konate was lucky not to be shown a second yellow card.

In the 65th minute, Konate clipped the heels of Everton star Beto as the visiting team broke.

The referee did not show him a yellow card.

Konate was already on a booking.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp soon decided to take off the defender.

Dermot Gallagher on Ibrahima Konate controversy in Liverpool vs Everton

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has said that Konate should have been sent off.

Gallagher said on Sky Sports News (11:33am, October 23, 2023): “Very, very (lucky). 

“I think there are a few things.

“It is cynical, he doesn’t make any attempt to play the ball.

“Maybe Craig’s argument is he is not going to get the ball, but Konate knew what he was doing.

“I think what summed it up a minute later the bench have said to Gomez, you know, get ready to go on, and subbed him, and that tells you the story.”

Everton wronged vs Liverpool

I believe that Everton will be hugely disappointed with the decision not to send Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate off.

The match was goalless at the time.

Now, I am not saying that Everton would have won the Merseyside derby had Konate been dismissed.

But, the Toffees would have certainly stood a better chance of drawing or winning the Merseyside derby.

I believe that the referee should have sent off Konate.

He saw the incident clearly as well.

It was a very bad decision.