Liverpool suffered a 2-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-final first leg at Parc des Princes. Goals from Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia secured victory for Luis Enrique’s side, who outclassed the Premier League champions. Liverpool managed no shots on target, but with the tie at 2-0, they retain an outside chance of progressing at Anfield next week.
Late Konate Push Sparks Penalty Debate
In the closing stages, Ibrahima Konate avoided punishment for pushing PSG full-back Nuno Mendes inside the penalty area. Co-commentator Ally McCoist declared live on TNT Sports: “I’m telling you right now, that’s a penalty.” Commentator Darren Fletcher agreed: “That’s a foul. It’s crazy, by the way.”
VAR quickly reviewed the incident and cleared it, displaying a ‘check over’ message. Former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett insists officials erred. The 81-year-old stated: “This was a push by Konate that should have resulted in the award of a penalty kick. The subtle push impacted on the forward, who lost balance and went to ground. VAR should have intervened to enable the referee to have a second view of the incident.”
A third PSG goal would have made progression nearly impossible for Arne Slot’s struggling team.
Earlier Konate Call Correctly Overturned
Earlier in the second half, referee Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez awarded a penalty when Konate appeared to foul Warren Zaire-Emery in the box. VAR intervened, prompting an on-pitch review that correctly overturned the decision.
Hackett praised the call: “A very good intervention by VAR to see that the referee in awarding a penalty kick had made a clear and obvious error. The decision was reviewed and correctly overturned.”
