Liverpool battled to a 2-1 victory over Wolves at Anfield, but one of the major talking points was the half-time substitution of Ibrahima Konate. The French defender, who had been booked in the first half, was taken off at the break, with head coach Arne Slot explaining the decision after the match.
Konate picked up a yellow card following a challenge on Matheus Cunha, and there were loud appeals from the Wolves supporters for a second booking before half-time. Slot, however, was not convinced the initial yellow was even necessary but felt the situation was too risky to continue.
“Yes, I took him off because of that,” Slot confirmed. “I saw him get his first yellow, and for me, that was a soft yellow. If he had received a second one for a shoulder push, that would have been another soft yellow, and then he would have been sent off.
“I think the referee felt the same – that’s why he didn’t give it. But I’ve watched football so many times, and I know how things work. When a player is booked, both he and the referee are under pressure. Every foul after that could lead to another yellow, and I thought back to what happened three days ago [against Everton].”
With Liverpool leading 2-0 at the break, Slot was not willing to take any chances, especially with crucial matches against Aston Villa and Manchester City on the horizon.
“For Ibou, it’s difficult to play 45 minutes knowing he can’t commit a foul against such a strong Wolves team,” he added. “So I had to take him off.”
In the end, Liverpool held on to secure all three points, and Konate’s early substitution could prove to be a wise decision as the Reds prepare for a demanding schedule ahead.
