Ibrahima Konate has lucky escape after humiliating moment vs. Galatasaray

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate had a far from convincing moment during his side's 1-0 defeat to Galatasaray in the Champions League, with a mistake that could've cost the team dearly.

Ibrahima Konate got away with a huge chance in Liverpool's defeat to Galatasaray(Image: (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images))

Liverpool was left frustrated on Tuesday night as they fell to a 1-0 defeat away at Galatasaray in Istanbul in the Champions League, but it could've been worse.

The Reds struggled to get to grips with the frantic nature of the match, with 26 shots between the two teams. Mario Lemina's finish was the difference between the sides on the night, but there was an opportunity for the home side that could've seen them double the lead.

Ibrahima Konate looked to deal with a ball in behind, but somehow let the ball find Victor Osimhen, who tapped the ball in from close range. Fortunately for the defender, the goal was given offside for Baris Yilmaz's position, as he was deemed to be interfering with play, even if he didn't touch the ball.

It was a potentially embarrassing moment for Konate, but fortunately, the decision ended up sparing his blushes after VAR confirmed the decision. Former player Stephen Warnock described it as a "huge" moment on BBC Radio Five Live when discussing the disallowed goal.

"That is huge for Liverpool," he said. "It was a mess. Ibrahima Konate is so lucky - two mistakes from him. Liverpool are very fortunate there. Let out of jail."

Ultimately, it kept the game at 1-0, as Liverpool looked to battle their way back into the match to take a positive result back to Anfield. Chances for Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz followed, before Konate himself thought that he brought the Reds level from a corner.

Konate had a tough evening against Galatasaray(Image: (Photo by Burak Kara - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images))

The VAR later ruled that it was a handball, coming from the arm of Konate, that disallowed the equaliser at a key moment. Speaking after the game, Slot revealed his frustration as he said: "It's always very difficult to talk to referees in situations like that because they have communication with the VAR, so they have to listen to what is being said.

"If it's correct that the goal was disallowed, which is difficult for me to judge because I heard different opinions from people and it's not completely obvious, so that is already one thing. But let's say the decision was right, then I was even more frustrated about the fact every free-kick and every corner kick we took, if you only look at Galatasaray players, the referee already gave a free-kick for Galatasaray.

"If you then look at how much they pulled on Virgil [van Dijk]'s shirt before the ball hit Ibou [Konate]'s arm, then it's safe to say we were not the only one impressed by the atmosphere here today."

It was ultimately a frustrating evening for Liverpool, but a one-goal deficit at Anfield is more than enough for the Reds to overturn in the second leg. The home crowd will be hoping to have a similar impact to those at RAMS Park, but Liverpool can't afford to give away any gifts like Konate almost did.

"I don't think they had a lot of chances in the second half, did they?" Slot added on taking a 1-0 defeat into the second leg. "No. They have good players and they're a good team, so they will always create chances. They scored five against Juventus here at home, so that tells you what they're capable of.

"We've had very good chances, one-on-one to the goalkeeper and unfortunately couldn't score. But again, as I have to give credit to how they scored their goal, I have to give credit to the way they defend as well because they keep on fighting, throwing themselves in front of the balls. And in that moment when Hugo [Ekitike] went one-v-one, it was the goalkeeper [there] to make a very important save.

"But what I do know is now it's half-time. We've lost here twice with 1-0 and the good thing is the next game is not played here. It is played at Anfield and our fans can create a similar atmosphere.

"I don't think it's possible that if I look at the last two games that so many things can go against us as happened in the last two games, although sometimes I question that if I look at this season. But I think things will be more normal in a home game for us. And I also think we can improve our performance and that, with the help of our fans, has to lead to a big game in a week."