In the aftermath of the Merseyside derby, Everton expressed dissatisfaction with referee Craig Pawson’s decisions, despite Liverpool emerging victorious. Additionally, there have been rumors linking Ibrahima Konaté to a potential move to Anfield, prompting comments from Liverpool’s manager, Jürgen Klopp, regarding his decision to keep Konaté on the field. Furthermore, Napoli’s director has commented on the transfer request made by Victor Osimhen.
**Napoli Responds to Victor Osimhen’s Transfer Request**
Liverpool has surprisingly been linked to Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, who is eager to leave Napoli, a Serie A team. This potential transfer would come with a hefty price tag exceeding $100 million. Napoli’s director, Mauro Meluso, has now addressed these rumors, stating, “The president will meet with Victor’s agent to discuss that in the next weeks. It’s also normal for Osimhen to take some time to consider the contract proposal we’ve made.”
While Osimhen is undoubtedly a talented player, it may seem unlikely that Liverpool will pursue his signature. The 24-year-old primarily operates through the center, a position where Liverpool already boasts strong options such as Diogo Jota, Darwin Núñez, and Cody Gakpo. Osimhen wouldn’t be a logical successor if Mohamed Salah were to depart, as in that case, Liverpool would need a wide player to fill Salah’s shoes.
**Jürgen Klopp’s Response to the Everton Match**
After a dramatic Merseyside derby, Liverpool’s manager, Jürgen Klopp, found himself discussing the events that transpired. One notable moment was the introduction of Joël Matip, which effectively conceded that Ibrahima Konaté had been fortunate to avoid a red card against Everton. Konaté was substituted shortly after an out-of-play moment.
During his news conference, Klopp admitted, “I didn’t see it back yet, to be 100% honest. I wasn’t sure if I saw it completely; I believe I was elsewhere at the time. However, while he was falling, I realized that Ibou had a yellow card, so I knew things could get complicated. After he failed to receive the second yellow, I decided to remove him off rather than give it another chance. I completely comprehend the frustration that Sean Dyche and Everton are experiencing right now.”
Klopp acknowledged the potential game-changing moment and the challenge that Everton posed. With Konaté’s yellow card situation and the risk of a second, Klopp chose to play it safe and substituted him out. The game was finely poised at the time, and Klopp recognized the impact that a red card could have had on the outcome.
Everton, reduced to 10 men, adopted a compact low block strategy for the remainder of the match, making it difficult for Liverpool to break through. However, the Reds managed to secure victory by converting a penalty. Klopp reflected on the match, stating, “Was it 1-0 or was it still 0-0? 10 v 10. 0-0. We seemed like the superior side to me. Had we prevailed? I’m not sure. We won’t ever learn.”
