Struggling Liverpool star slammed for ‘terrible’ incident at Leeds United
Ibrahima Konate’s foul to give away a penalty in Liverpool’s latest collapse at Leeds United has been slammed by former players and referees alike.
Leeds came back from two goals down to draw with Liverpool 3-3 on Saturday, with Ao Tanaka netting a dramatic stoppage-time leveller after the Whites went behind for a second time.
In doing so Daniel Farke followed up his 3-1 win over Chelsea with another great result at Elland Road against the struggling champions.
It had looked like the German would be back under pressure when Hugo Ekitike scored a quick-fire double in the second half to put the visitors in control, but Konate then felled Willy Gnonto in the area midway through the second half to begin the fightback.
Dermot Gallagher and Jay Bothroyd react to Leeds penalty decision
The Frenchman has been at fault for a number of errors as Arne Slot’s side have become a shadow of themselves from last season, and he was at it again at Elland Road at the weekend.
Konate slid in as Gnonto was heading to the byline, with the Italian hesitating from putting a cross in and taking contact from his opponent just as the ball was heading out of play, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin converted the penalty, before Anton Stach slammed in an equaliser.
Anthony Taylor was sent to the screen by the VAR to eventually make the decision to award a penalty against Konate, with ex-Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher agreeing with the call on Sky Sports Ref Watch.
He said: “The ball is definitely in play. Konate didn’t have to make that tackle.”
In response former England international striker Jay Bothroyd expressed his confusion, saying: “Konate just has to stay on his feet. He’s lunged in and not touched the ball. I really can’t understand it. It’s a terrible decision from Konate.”
Farke makes Leeds sack impossible, for now
Farke went into the double-header of home games against Chelsea and Liverpool with reports of his imminent sacking circulating, despite a rousing Leeds fightback at Man City in the previous match which ultimately fell short.
In outplaying Enzo Maresca’s side the Whites boss not only got one over on his former second-tier title rival at Leicester City, but delivered exactly what he had to in order to buy himself time at Elland Road.
- Last three Leeds United fixtures
- Man City 3-2 Leeds (29 November)
- Leeds 3-1 Chelsea (3 December)
- Leeds 3-3 Liverpool (6 December)
It was unlikely to be enough on its own, but coming from behind to take another point against the reigning champions, despite their current implosion, surely makes it impossible for the 49ers to make a change right now.
Slot once seemed destined to take over at Leeds but now a result at the Whites’ home appears to have piled as much pressure on his Anfield job as he has yet seen.
The Dutchman left Mo Salah on the bench throughout and the Egyptian star gave an explosive interview in the mixed zone at Elland Road putting huge pressure on.
While the focus has largely been on the negative fallout at Liverpool it can’t be ignored that, belatedly, Farke seems to have got a serious tune out of the this side, and will need more of the same on Sunday at Brentford.
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