- Ibrahima Konate thought he deserved Man of the Match for the win over Wolves
- Arne Slot was quick to point out that the defender’s mistake led to his team conceding
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Ibrahima Konate joked he should have been named Man of the Match after scoring his first Premier League goal in Liverpool’s win over Wolves.
Arne Slot’s side continued their impressive start to the season at Molineux on Saturday, thanks to a goal from the French defender, followed by a penalty from Mohamed Salah.
The result returns Red to the top of the Premier League, ahead of Manchester City, who managed only a draw despite taking the lead against Newcastle.
After a scrappy first 45 minutes, in which they came close to taking the lead several times, Liverpool scored their goal on the edge of the break.
In first-half stoppage time, Diogo Jota’s cross found Konate in the penalty area and the defender converted, just a week after scoring in their 3-1 Champions League victory over AC Milan.
Ibrahima Konate scored his first Premier League goal in Liverpool’s win over Wolves
But the French defender was later blamed as Rayan Ait-Nouri equalized for the hosts at Molineux
After the match, Konate jokingly suggested that he deserved the Man of the Match award
After being his side’s hero, Konate became the villain early in the second half when an awkward defensive mix-up between himself and Alisson allowed Rayan Ait-Nouri to equalize.
Salah restored the visitors’ lead from twelve yards shortly afterwards, with midfielder Ryan Gravenberch awarded the Man of the Match award after the full-time whistle.
When asked to present his teammate with the award, Konate wondered why he had not been given the honor.
‘Who decides who is the Man of the Match?’ he asked on Sky Sports.
‘How is this possible? It’s my brother, I have to give it to him. Milan I score, today I score… I didn’t deserve it?
‘What happened? You have to talk to them. I don’t know who decides that.’
When Konate was informed by a member of the Sky Sports production team that Gravenberch had chosen, he said: ‘Gary Neville… thanks, Gary.’
After Konate’s reaction was relayed to Slot during his post-match interview, the Dutchman saw the funny side but was quick to point out that his centre-back’s mistake could have been costly.
Arne Slot was quick to point out that his defender’s mistake almost cost him the three points
“Konate?” Slot asked incredulously. ‘Maybe he forgot the moment we conceded a goal.
“So maybe that’s why we gave in, because he wasn’t there at the time, because it was avoidable to say the least.”
Konate has been an ever-present for Slot since coming on at half-time in their season-opening match against Ipswich Town.