Rio Ferdinand was left 'squealing' by Liverpool decision in win over Everton

Rio Ferdinand firmly believed Craig Pawson would send Ibrahima Konate off in today's Merseyside derby - and was shocked when the referee allowed the Liverpool defender to continue.

Liverpool came out on top at Anfield, winning 2-0 after Mohamed Salah hit two goals late in the second half. The hosts' resilience was ultimately rewarded, however not without controversy.

Ashley Young had initially been sent off in the first half after picking up two yellow cards, leaving his team to face the Reds a man down for 53 minutes.

Konate was then booked in the 50th minute for cynically preventing Amadou Onana from countering, and shortly afterwards with the score still level at 0-0 he brought down substitute Beto attempting to break into the Liverpool half. Pawson had a full view of the challenge, decided not to act and that allowed Jurgen Klopp to swap the defender out before anything escalated.

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"I was squealing when I was watching this up in the gantry because I thought he was going to go," admitted former Manchester United defender Ferdinand on TNT Sports. "I can’t believe the referee did not give him a second booking. I’m definitely on the Everton side here."

Another former defender was of the same mind, albeit with one foot in the opposition camp. Ex-Blues captain Phil Jagielka sided with his co-pundit and his old club on the matter.

The 41-year-old added: "It shows us what Jurgen Klopp does. He’s obviously realised that he’s got away with it and when you give a free-kick away there and how he has refereed the game, you have to give another yellow card.

"Yes we