Liverpool manager Arne Slot laughed away Ibrahima Konate’s playful protests over not receiving the player of the match award in Saturday’s win over Wolves, claiming the Frenchman “forgot that we conceded the goal”.

Konate put Liverpool ahead in first-half stoppage time, having previously netted in the victory against Milan in the Champions League, but some hesitancy from him and goalkeeper Alisson allowed Rayan Ait Nouri to equalise early in the second half.

However, Mohamed Salah converted a penalty soon after when Diogo Jota was brought down by Nelson Semedo, taking the Reds a point clear of Manchester City and Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table.

Pundit Gary Neville picked midfielder Ryan Gravenberch as his player of the match approaching full-time, though Konate hinted in jest that he had a problem with the former Manchester United defender’s choice.

He said: “Sky Sports, Sky Sports, who decided who is man of the match? How is this possible? It’s my brother, I have to give it to him. Milan I score, today I score, I saved one, what happened? You have to talk with them whoever decided.”

Slot, however, was not as glowing in his assessment of the former RB Leipzig centre-back’s performance, retorting: “Konate? Ibrahima Konate? OK. Then he maybe forgot the moment that we conceded the goal. Maybe that was the reason why we conceded, he wasn’t there at the moment because to say the least it was avoidable.”

He added: “The goal we conceded was definitely avoidable and it was unnecessary. It came at a bad time because we had total control over the game.

“By conceding this way, they came back into the game and the good thing for us, is we immediately scored to make it 2-1. With only one goal making the difference, it makes it a difficult game until the end.”

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