Liverpool boss Arne Slot brutally joked that Ibrahima Konate had forgotten his crucial error after the defender insisted he should have won the Man of the Match award against Wolves. Konate scored but was then culpable for the hosts’ equaliser in the Reds’ 2-1 triumph on Saturday.
Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville named Ryan Gravenberch as the Man of the Match, much to Konate's displeasure. The defender jokingly complained to Sky Sports that he should have been handed the prize, before kissing his teeth after finding out that it was Neville who made the decision.
In a separate interview moments later, it was put to Slot that Konate felt he should have been voted the game’s best player. He laughed and responded: “Konate? Then probably he forgot the moment we conceded a goal!”
The Dutchman added: “Maybe that was the reason we conceded, he just wasn’t there at that moment. To say the least, it was avoidable. I’d say it like this.”
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Konate's powerful header handed Liverpool the lead in first-half added-time at Molineux. However, the Frenchman failed to usher the ball out for a goal-kick early in the second half.
He was dispossessed close to his own goal, allowing Rayan Ait-Nouri to score. Mohamed Salah put Liverpool back ahead with a penalty, before Konate made an excellent tackle to deny Wolves another equaliser.
Speaking after the match, Konate joked: "Sky Sports, who decides who is the Man of the Match? How is this possible? How is this possible? He (Gravenberch) is my brother so I have to give it to him.
"Against AC Milan, I score. Today, I score. I saved one but I didn't deserve it? What happened?" He then asked interviewer Juliet Farrington: "You know? You will have to talk with them (pundits), I don't know who decides it."
He was made aware by someone off camera that Neville decided the Man of the Match award. “Gary Neville?” Konate responded.
Liverpool climbed to the top of the Premier League thanks to their win at Wolves. Manchester City dropped points earlier on Saturday, drawing 1-1 with Newcastle. Arsenal required two late goals to win 4-2 against Leicester.
Konate has been key to Liverpool's positive start to the season under Slot. He replaced Jarell Quansah at half-time during the first game of the campaign - a 2-0 win over Ipswich - and has played every minute since.
