VAR Controversy: Konate Says Denied Spot-Kick Cost Liverpool Against PSG

Konate slams VAR call as Liverpool crash out to PSG

Konate insists Liverpool should have won second leg vs PSG but VAR reversed a penalty for Alexis Mac Allister. Liverpool now shift focus to Premier League top-five race for Champions League return.

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate blames overturned penalty for Champions League exit after defeat to PSG at Anfield...

Ibrahima Konate argued that the decision to deny Liverpool a penalty during Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain was the turning point in their Champions League exit.

Arne Slot’s side were initially awarded a second-half penalty in the quarter-final second leg at Anfield after Alexis Mac Allister went down under pressure from Willian Pacho.

With the score on the night level at 0-0 and PSG leading 2-0 on aggregate, Konate believed that a spot-kick would have turned the tide in Liverpool’s favour.

But VAR intervened to instruct referee Maurizio Mariani to reverse his original decision.

Liverpool were unable to recover from that setback and Ousmane Dembele’s double fired holders PSG back into the semi-finals.

“Last season, we had a penalty like that. For me, it was a clear penalty and was just behind the referee but he did not blow the whistle and we have to deal with that,” Konate said after the 4-0 aggregate defeat.

Ibrahima Konate gave his post-match assessment on the disappointment of Liverpool’s #UCL elimination.

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 14, 2026

“If we got the penalty and score, it would be completely different.”

It marked the second straight year PSG knocked Liverpool out of the Champions League.

Konate admitted Luis Enrique’s team looked stronger than last season, yet he maintained Liverpool deserved to win the second leg.

“We created many chances and I think we were the better team. It was a little bit unfair, it was like last season. We had many chances but could not score and they had one or two chances and scored,” he said.

“Many things happened and we don't have to forget that. The game today meant a lot of things because against PSG, who are a bit better than last season, to make a performance like that, we have to build from that and realise how good we can be.”

With Liverpool fifth in the Premier League and the top five set for Champions League qualification, Konate called on the team to rescue a disappointing campaign by locking down a spot in Europe’s top competition.

“It is (the) minimum standard for Liverpool to play Champions League. We have six games left and we have to give (our) all in those six games,” he said.

Liverpool will end the season without Hugo Ekitike after the striker picked up a first-half injury.

We hope you make it to the World Cup, Hugo Ekitiké ❤️🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/ZeKanz30yr

— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) April 14, 2026

“I think it is bad. I don't know, I have heard many things,” Konate said.

“I have no word to talk about that because, with the World Cup coming, it is very, very hard for him and I send him my prayers.”