Liverpool 2-0 Everton: Dermot Gallagher in agreement with Jurgen Klopp over derby incident

Sky Sports News’ Ref Watch team concluded that Liverpool’s Ibrahim Konate was incredibly lucky to not be sent off against Everton. The Reds triumphed over their city rivals with a 2-0 victory, thanks to a Mohamed Salah double, but all the talk following the game has revolved around how the French defender somehow managed to avoid a second yellow card.

Tensions were already high in the derby following Ashley Young’s dismissal in the first half, but the second half saw Konate bring down Everton forward Beto as he turned to counter-attack while already on a yellow card - but referee Craig Pawson opted against brandishing a second yellow card.

To add insult to injury for the Toffees, Jurgen Klopp then immediately opted to substitute the defender, bringing on Joel Matip to ensure Konate was not under any added pressure. Klopp himself claimed the former RB Leipzig defender ‘could have gone’ and former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher was in agreement.

When asked if he was lucky to remain on the pitch, Gallagher responded: “Very, I think there’s a few things: it’s cynical, he doesn’t make any attempt to play the ball. Maybe Craig’s [Pawson] argument is that he [Beto] isn’t going to get the ball but Konate knew what he was doing. I think what summed it up is a minute later, the bench have said to Gomez to get ready and that tells you the story.”

Also in agreement was former players Stephen Warnock and Sue Smith, with Warnock quick to label it a ‘terrible decision’.

“It was such a cynical foul. I mean, how it’s not a yellow card is beyond me - it’s a terrible decision!” Warnock claimed. While Smith also agreed it was a ‘100%’ a yellow card.

The decision saw Sean Dyche carded as a result, with him labelling the referee’s decision ‘ridiculous and bizarre’ and it would have seen the two teams play off with 10 men each with the scoreline at that point still locked at 0-0.