Why Ibrahima Konaté’s goal was disallowed after lengthy VAR review; Liverpool edge Inter 1-0 with late penalty in Champions League

Ibrahima Konaté powered in a header from a corner, but Liverpool’s celebrations were cut short after a lengthy four-minute VAR review overturned the goal. The incident took place in the 32nd minute, with Konaté reacting quickest inside the box, only for replays to reveal a handball in the buildup. The ball had struck Hugo Ekitike’s arm after deflecting off Virgil van Dijk at close range. UEFA later clarified the decision, stating that Liverpool’s No. 22 had handled the ball with his arm in an unnatural position, making the goal invalid.


"VAR review complete. Decision overturned: goal disallowed. Goal disallowed - handball offence. Liverpool’s player No. 22 touched the ball with his left arm, which was in an unnatural position, out of the body in the build-up to the goal," UEFA explained later, as quoted by Tribuna.


Despite the frustration of seeing their opener chalked off, Liverpool kept pushing and were eventually rewarded. Dominik Szoboszlai stepped up to convert a late penalty, ending Inter Milan’s impressive 18-match unbeaten home run in European competition. The spot-kick came after substitute Florian Wirtz had his shirt pulled by Alessandro Bastoni, leaving the referee with little choice following another VAR check.

Szoboszlai coolly slotted his effort past Yann Sommer in the 88th minute, securing a crucial win for a Liverpool side dealing with internal tension following Mohamed Salah’s public criticism of manager Arne Slot. With Salah left out of the squad, the victory felt even more significant.

Andy Robertson praised the team’s resilience afterward, acknowledging the difficulty of facing an in-form Inter side on their home turf. The result marked Liverpool’s fourth win in six Champions League matches, lifting them into the top eight and strengthening their push for automatic qualification to the last 16.

Addressing the Salah situation, Robertson emphasized unity within the squad, calling the Egyptian “one of the greatest players" in the club’s history and stressing that the team remained together despite the off-field drama.