Alan Shearer rages at controversial Liverpool incident v Everton as MOTD footage emerges
Alan Shearer has raged at the controversial decision not to send off Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate against Everton on Saturday (21 October).
Speaking on Match of the Day on Saturday (39:04), the pundit said it was “poor” from the referee not to hand the French centre-back a second yellow card for a foul on Beto when the score was still 0-0 at Anfield.
He added the Reds were “very fortunate” as Jurgen Klopp took the 24-year-old off just a minute later in his side’s 2-0 win over the Toffees, where Ashley Young saw red after picking up two yellow cards in the first half.
“Konate then gets his first yellow card, an absolutely right decision,” said Shearer. “As you can see there, he knows exactly what he’s doing. The referee sees it – yellow card.
“But then come on, what’s the difference to the (James) Tarkowski one? You can see he takes him out here with the connection, look we’ve cleared it up there, he wipes him out there.
“They are very, very fortunate and Klopp knew that because he took him off a minute later, he had to get him off the pitch quick, otherwise he would’ve been sent off. I thought that was a poor decision.”
Inadequate
This was yet another sign that the majority of the Premier League officials are completely inadequate and are not up to the required standard for this level.
It was clear to everyone – including Klopp – that Konate was very lucky to not have been sent off as it was an obvious yellow card offence.
Shearer is right to point out the Tarkowski incident earlier on in the game that saw him cautioned for committing a foul of pretty much the same nature to the Frenchmen.
The fact it was 0-0 at the time will only add to Sean Dyche’s frustrations because it clearly had a major impact on the game and could have meant the scoreline ended differently.
The officials can not be allowed to continue making these same basic errors every single week and something simply has to change because it isn’t acceptable.
In other Everton news, administration has emerged as an option on the back of fresh allegations against 777 Partners.