“How is this possible?” - Liverpool star Ibrahima Konate involved in hilarious moment with Gary Neville after win at Wolves
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate jokingly expressed his dissatisfaction after he wasn’t given the player of the match award following his side’s 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers. Konate asked who decided the winner of the award and sarcastically thanked Gary Neville after learning it was the Manchester United legend's decision.
Liverpool traveled to the Molineux Stadium on Saturday, September 28, and secured a hard-fought victory, which saw them move to the summit of the Premier League table. Ibrahima Konate gave his side the lead in first half stoppage-time as he rose above Toti Gomes to meet Diogo Jota’s cross with a header that wriggled through Sam Johnstone’s clutches.
Wolves, however, equalized in the 56th minute as Rayan Ait-Nouri pounced on a loose ball after an error by Konate. However, the hosts' celebrations were short-lived as Semedo pulled down Jota in the 18-yard box to concede a penalty that Mohamed Salah clinically dispatched.
After the match, Ibrahima Konate and Ryan Gravenberch were both invited by Sky Sports for the player for the match award.
Konate was hoping to win the award but to his dismay, his teammate Gravenberch was named the player of the match. The decision didn’t sit well with the French defender, who said:
“Sky Sports, who decides who is man of the match? How is this possible? OK, it’s my brother, I have to give it to him. Milan I score, today I score... I didn’t deserve it? No, no, no, what happened? You have to talk to them; I don’t know who decides.”
When he was told that it was former Manchester United full-back Gary Neville who made the decision, Konate shook his head and responded:
“Thank you Gary.”
While Konate got himself on the scoresheet for Liverpool, it is worth noting that Ryan Gravenberch had an impressive game as well. The Dutch midfielder grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck. He contested eight duels and won all of them. He also barely lost possession in midfield as he again proved his press-resistance before playing some excellent passes.
Arne Slot heaps praise on Liverpool star after defeating Wolverhampton Wanderers
Liverpool manager Arne Slot raved about Ryan Gravenberch after his side secured a 2-1 victory over Wolves on Saturday. Gravenberch stood tall with his performance as the hosts piled the pressure on Liverpool.
During an interview with Sky Sports after the match, Slot said:
"[It's] not only me [who is happy], I think all fans are as well - and him (Gravenberch) too! He's just very comfortable on the ball, with Macca (Alexis Mac Allister) as well and that helps the team if you want to have a possession style of play."
"If you want to have the ball and you want to keep it for as long as you can, it always helps if you have two players who are so comfortable on the ball in the holding midfielder position, and the two of them if they can run as well."
The Dutchman added:
"If you think of the things that Ryan does with the ball, we don't do enough justice to his game. He does a really good job without the ball as well which surprised me, because I know him from the Dutch league, but I think Bayern and Jurgen did a good job making him better without the ball and that's what we are taking the benefits of right now."
Liverpool stand atop the Premier League standings after their win over Wolves. They have 15 points from six games and are a point ahead of both Manchester City and Arsenal.