Jurgen Klopp Admits Ibrahima Konate “Could Have Gone” for Second Yellow Card Against Everton

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has admitted that defender Ibrahima Konate “could have gone” for a second yellow card against Everton in the 243rd Merseyside Derby at Anfield. The Reds were a man down before half-time, after Ashley Young was sent off for two bookable offences.

Klopp acknowledged the situation immediately by substituting Konate for Joel Matip, and speaking to BBC Sport after the game, he admitted a red card would have been deserved.

“Ibrahima, could have gone, yes,” the manager said. “It could have happened obviously and then we took him off and from that moment we were solid and compact.”

In an interview with beIN SPORTS, Klopp added: “We took him off because of that, of course. I didn’t see it back, I saw it in the situation and I saw so many football games and saw yellow cards in moments like this. We got lucky probably. We took him off and what is even more important is Joel played a sensational game.”

In his post-match press conference, Everton manager Sean Dyche was understandably frustrated with the officiating, claiming referee Craig Pawson told him he didn’t believe it was a booking.

“I have no clue. I’ve asked the referee, he said he didn’t feel it was a bookable offence and he felt that straight away,” he told reporters. “I don’t know what is then. I’d like to think there’s a lot of fair-minded people in football, and I think people who were here today would be stunned that that wasn’t a second yellow.”

Dyche, who was booked for his protests, added: “Some of the decisions that were bookings and then Konate’s is not, that’s baffling. Their manager, fair play to him, he took him off as quick as he could! He’s realised, he saw, ‘I got away with one there’ – I imagine he thought that, I don’t know. He couldn’t wait to get him off. He knows and we know.”

The 243rd Merseyside Derby ended in a 2-0 victory for Liverpool, with goals from Sadio Mane and Georginio Wijnaldum. It was a big win for the Reds, who had been struggling to find their form in recent weeks.

Klopp’s quick thinking in substituting Konate for Matip was instrumental in ensuring Liverpool’s victory. Had Konate been sent off, it would have been a much tougher task for the Reds to get the win.

Konate’s lucky escape from a second yellow card may have been the difference between victory and defeat for Liverpool. It’s clear that Klopp was aware of the potential consequences of leaving Konate on the pitch and acted accordingly.

The result of the match was a huge boost for Liverpool, who are now looking to build on their victory and return to winning ways in the Premier League. With Klopp’s tactical acumen and Konate’s lucky escape from a second yellow card, Liverpool have taken a big step towards getting back on track.