Klopp ‘understands’ Dyche’s frustration after Konate escapes red in derby

Jurgen Klopp admits that Liverpool were lucky not to be down to ten men in the Merseyside derby after defeating Everton 2-0 at Anfield. 

With Ibrahima Konate already on a yellow, he was let off the hook when referee Craig Pawson did not brandish a second yellow card after the French defender cynically hauled back substitute Beto on the halfway line with Everton launching a dangerous counter.

The frustration from an Everton perspective ultimately stemmed from Ashley Young’s dismissal in the first half, with the veteran defender sent off after two rash challenges on Luis Diaz. The two tackles committed by Konate were not too dissimilar.

Klopp was quick to react to Konate’s mistake during the game when he hooked off the central defender just seconds after he had made the second tackle.  

Dyche was booked for his complaints, the only comfort being the way that his team battled against the odds. For Klopp, this hard-fought victory ends a run of two games without a win. 

The Liverpool boss spoke after the game and admitted that his side were fortunate not to be down to ten men in the second half. 

Klopp said: “When he didn’t get the yellow, I took him off. I thought we don’t give that a chance. I can understand the frustration of Sean in this moment, absolutely. 

“We were the better side. Would we have won? I don’t know but it is not like we wouldn’t have had a chance to win the game.  

“It was 2-0 and we deserved the three points, I think there is no doubt.”

Dyche later said in his press conference:”I have seen the footage and within a second he (Craig Pawson) is saying, ‘No chance’.

“He did not even give himself thinking time. If he gives himself 10 seconds, I bet he gives a yellow. Especially in the modern game. It is just bizarre to me.”