Wolves lost to Liverpool in their latest Premier League game, and there were a number of controversial decisions made that are now coming under the microscope.
Wolves lost 2-1 against the Reds at Anfield, but were unlucky to lose.
The damage was done in the first-half, with Luis Diaz bundling in and then Mo Salah scoring from the penalty spot.
Jamie Redknapp and Jermain Defoe had differing views about that penalty award for Liverpool, with Redknapp feeling Diaz fouled Emmanuel Agbadou just before he went down. Defoe felt Diaz was ‘clever’.
But there was another controversial decision in the first-half, and it was when Ibrahima Konate made a challenge on Matheus Cunha while already on a booking.
And the incident was assessed last night on Match of the Day 2.
Richards and Williams agree Ibrahima Konate should not have been sent off against Wolves
Earlier in the first-half, Konate picked up a yellow card for preventing a breakaway by Wolves. It was fairly deep in Wolves’ half, but a caution was the right call.
But Simon Hooper then had a big decision to make just before half-time.
Konate clattered into Cunha on the edge of the Liverpool box as he went for a header, getting none of the ball. Only a foul was given and no second yellow card, much to the frustrations of the Wolves players.
Agbadou was then booked for seemingly gesturing that Konate should be off.
Vitor Pereira felt Konate should have been sent off – but that view was not shared on last night’s Match of the Day 2.
Pundit Ashley Williams said: “I don’t think this is a yellow card. It looks worse on that angle. But as you see, he’s trying to make up the ground, Konate, he’s just looking at the ball. It’s a foul, but I don’t think it’s a second yellow.
Micah Richards said: “In slow motion, it looks worse. I don’t think it’s a second yellow, I don’t think you can be sending people off for that.”
Konate was lucky and Arne Slot knew it
These are questionable takes from Williams and Richards, who would both no doubt be screaming for a player to be sent off had this happened against their team.
Konate was very lucky to stay on.
He is late and gets nowhere near the ball, clattering into Cunha. Yes, he was looking at the ball, but it was dangerous play, and Cunha was actually lucky not to be headbutted.
Perhaps referee Simon Hooper – who Wolves fans slammed after the defeat to Liverpool – felt his first booking for Konate was slightly soft in hindsight and that was a factor in him not issuing a second caution.
Arne Slot taking Konate off at half-time was very telling, and it’s a real shame that Wolves couldn’t play that second-half against 10 men.