Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer react to PSG v Liverpool controversy, ‘Got Lucky’
Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer were blown away by Liverpool in their Champions League win against PSG on Wednesday.
The Reds travelled to the Parc Des Princes on 5 March and struggled from start to finish and still came away with a positive result.
Harvey Elliott was brought on by Arne Slot and opened the scoring with his first touch to secure a famous win away in Paris.
This turned out to be a positive night for the L4 club but things could have been so different after a first half call from referee Davide Massa.
Lineker and Shearer react to Ibrahima Konate controversy v PSG
Although the Reds have a 1-0 lead to defend at Anfield next week, the positivity behind this result ultimately hinged on one decision.
The main controversy of the clash came as Konate collided with Bradley Barcola as the Frenchman looked set to be in on goal.
The 25-year-old centre-back appeared to shove the winger over who was looking likely to get a shot off on Alisson’s goal from close range.
No foul was given by the on-field officials and VAR confirmed the decision, but Shearer believes there was a hint of good fortune for Slot in Paris.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football (7 March), he said: “I think they got lucky. I do think the Konate [challenge] was a foul, therefore would have been a red card. They got away with that one.”
Lineker was in full agreement as he added:”I think it was [a foul]. It’s one of those where, if the referee had of given it, they would have definitely stuck with the decision.”
Liverpool got away with one v PSG
It is fair to say that the away side deserved to take nothing away from the French capital.
There was a huge element of luck to the result and that started when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia curled home a strike which was duly ruled out for offside.
The Parisians then went on to create chance after chance but were unable to take them and ultimately left the door open for the Reds.
| PSG | Liverpool | |
| Possession (%) | 70 | 30 |
| Expected goals | 1.78 | 0.27 |
| Big chances | 3 | 1 |
| Shots | 27 | 2 |
Slot’s side eventually took advantage, much to the surprise of the football world, in what was a huge result ahead of the return leg at Anfield.
On another day, the scoreline could have been so much different, especially if Konate had been sent off for what appeared to be a clear-cut foul.
There is no doubt that the Frenchman will be pleased to have gotten away with the decision and will now look forward to the reverse leg.