Richard Keys slams ‘Lucky’ Liverpool over incident that happened in PSG win
Richard Keys believes Liverpool can consider themselves fortunate over a break that went their way in the win over Paris Saint-Germain.
Liverpool managed to secure victory against PSG at Parc des Princes thanks to Harvey Elliot’s goal in the 87th minute.
The Reds go into the second leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie with a narrow advantage, but the second leg being played at Anfield gives them a bigger edge.
Despite PSG controlling majority of the possession and having 27 shots at Liverpool’s goal, it was Arne Slot’s side who emerged victorious in Paris.
Ibrahima Konate avoids red card v PSG
PSG were running riot over Liverpool with their electric attack. In the 25th minute, Bradley Barcola was through on goal and only had to get past Alisson to score.
However, Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate launched a last-ditch tackle just outside the Liverpool goal area, resulting in Barcola going down and appealing for a red card for the French centre-back.
A VAR check was carried out for a potential red card, and while it looked glaringly obvious that the 25-year-old had committed a serious foul, to everyone’s surprise, no red card was given to Konate after the VAR check.
Paul Merson was shocked as Konate had denied a clear goalscoring opportunity and yet escaped a red card.
| PSG | Liverpool | |
| Possession % | 70% | 30% |
| Total Shots | 27 | 2 |
| Shots on target | 10 | 1 |
| Big chances | 3 | 1 |
| Big chances missed | 3 | 0 |
On the same night, in the game between Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen, referee Michael Oliver handed a very soft penalty to the Bavarians which was converted by Harry Kane.
Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka took a swipe at referee Oliver, insisting that the 40-year-old official would not have given a penalty for the same incident in the Premier League.
Keys, taking to Twitter, agreed with Xhaka’s comments and also slammed Liverpool and Konate for their “lucky” escape.
“I agree with Xhaka. There’s no way Gillett & Oliver give that pen in PL. I wish they would. It would stop all the holding. And there’s nothing to say about how lucky Konate & Liverpool were – it’s so obvious,” Keys tweeted.
Liverpool face tough challenge in second leg vs PSG
Despite securing a 1-0 win away, the tie is far from over. Luis Enrique’s side outperformed Liverpool in the attack and came agonisingly close on scoring on several occasions.
Had it not been for the heroics of Alisson, the Reds would have easily come out on the losing end in the first leg at Parc des Princes.
Slot will have to figure out a way to neutralise the threat of the dynamic trio of Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Barcola in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 clash.
The trio were rampant over Liverpool’s defence and pose serious threat over the Merseysiders’ hopes to progress to the quarter-finals.