'The ref is a homer!': Liverpool 'got away with one' after Konate controversy, claims Ferdinand

Suraj Radia

Updated: 21 Oct 2023 15:36 BST
3 min read

Ibrahima Konate was fortunate to avoid being sent off for Liverpool in the Merseyside derby according to Rio Ferdinand, with the ex-Manchester United legend suggesting that the lack of punishment was due to the ref ‘being a homer’ at Anfield.

Article continues under the video

Konate was on a booking but avoided a second yellow in the second half despite bringing down Beto right as the Everton striker was set to break away on the counter.

The Liverpool defender was called for the foul for pulling Beto’s shirt but Craig Pawson seemingly spared Konate’s blushes by opting against sending him off, much to the chagrin of the Toffees, causing a remonstration around the referee.

Konate was immediately subbed off by Jurgen Klopp to avoid any further controversy and Ferdinand stated his belief that Liverpool ‘got away with one there.’

“If I'm am Everton player I'm getting round the referee,” Ferdinand said on TNT Sports. “Konate's a lucky boy. The Everton fans will be sitting there saying: 'That's cause we're at Anfield. The ref he's a homer’. They've got away with one there.”

Ferdinand’s fellow pundit Ally McCoist also felt Liverpool were let off the hook and pointed to Joel Matip immediately being brought on, saying: “That tells you all you need to know. If that free kick doesn't take place, there's no substitution.”

Liverpool collect three points on Merseyside

Liverpool ended up with a 2-0 win, with the entire match leaving a sour taste in Everton mouths after Ashley Young received a contentious second yellow in the first half before VAR gave the hosts a penalty in the 75th minute for a handball, which Mohamed Salah dispatched before grabbing another in injury time.

Klopp’s side came into the game having been frustrated at officiating in their recent matches, such as Luis Diaz’s goal being wrongly ruled out for offside against Tottenham earlier in the month, but Liverpool appeared to be on the right side of the calls against their rivals.

ANOTHER REPLAY!: Reaction from Liverpool's previous VAR woes

However, Liverpool perhaps deserved the win on the balance of play, even if Everton could feel aggrieved by the calls going against them, with Sean Dyche’s side never recovering from Young’s sending off.

Jurgen Klopp touches on Konate escaping a red card 😬 pic.twitter.com/3VQpUGxZnt
— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) October 21, 2023

The result puts Liverpool joint-top of the Premier League, albeit with Tottenham and Arsenal still to play this weekend, while Everton’s struggles continue as they sit just three points clear of the drop zone.