Ibrahima Konate has expressed his deep frustration following Liverpool’s Champions League quarter-final exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain, pinpointing the decision to overturn a second-half penalty as the pivotal moment in Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat at Anfield.
Liverpool, managed by Arne Slot, were awarded a penalty after Alexis Mac Allister went down under pressure from Willian Pacho with the aggregate score standing at 2-0 in PSG’s favour. Konate was adamant that the penalty, had it stood, could have dramatically altered the match’s outcome. However, following a VAR review, referee Maurizio Mariani rescinded his original decision, dealing a significant blow to Liverpool’s aspirations.
Reflecting on the incident, Konate stated, “Last season we had a penalty like that. For me, it was a clear penalty and I was just behind the referee, but he did not blow the whistle and we have to deal with that. If we got the penalty and scored, it would be completely different.”
Liverpool struggled to recover from the setback, and Ousmane Dembele’s brace sealed PSG’s progression to the semi-finals, resulting in a 4-0 aggregate defeat for the Merseyside club. This marks the second consecutive season Liverpool have been eliminated from the competition by PSG.
Konate acknowledged PSG’s improvement under Luis Enrique but insisted Liverpool deserved more from the second leg. “We created many chances and I think we were the better team. It was a little bit unfair, like last season. We had many chances but could not score, and they had one or two chances and scored,” he commented.
He continued, “Many things happened and we don’t have to forget that. The game today meant a lot of things because against PSG, who are a bit better than last season, to make a performance like that, we have to build from that and realise how good we can be.”
With Liverpool currently fifth in the Premier League—where the top five teams secure Champions League qualification—Konate emphasized the importance of finishing the season strongly. “It is the minimum standard for Liverpool to play Champions League. We have six games left and we have to give all in those six games,” he added.
The defeat was further compounded by an injury to striker Hugo Ekitike, who was forced off during the first half. Konate shared his concern, stating, “I think it is bad. I don’t know, I have heard many things. I have no words to talk about that because with the World Cup coming, it is very, very hard for him and I send him my prayers.”
As Liverpool look to regroup, the focus remains firmly on securing a return to Europe’s elite competition and ending the season on a positive note.
