Iraola criticises penalty decisions after Liverpool lose to Arsenal

Andoni Iraola said Liverpool may have to tell players to go to ground after Alexander Isak was denied a penalty during the 1-0 home defeat by Arsenal. The Liverpool manager argued that Isak was pulled by Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber but stayed upright while attempting to reach a cross, and that this may have influenced the referee’s decision. “It’s a shame you ask me this question but, honestly, yes, we have to tell them to go down because they’re not going to call it otherwise,” Iraola said, according to The Guardian.

He described the incident as a clear pull and said Isak had tried to continue towards the ball rather than exaggerate the contact. The incident occurred when Isak attempted to connect with a delivery from Bradley Barcola. Iraola said Timber’s shirt pull prevented the Sweden international from reaching the ball in front of goal.

Referee Andy Madley dismissed the appeal. Liverpool had a second penalty claim involving Cody Gakpo and Arsenal’s Christos Tzolis. That incident was reviewed by video assistant referee Stuart Attwell but the decision not to award a penalty was upheld.

Iraola said he understood the argument that Gakpo would not have reached the ball because it had been in the air for too long. However, the manager said the two decisions appeared connected. In his view, accepting the reasoning used to reject the Gakpo claim made it harder to explain why the shirt pull on Isak was not punished.

He argued that whether a player falls should not determine whether a foul has occurred. Arsenal’s victory was secured by Kai Havertz’s 16th-minute goal, which came after a poor clearance by goalkeeper Alisson Becker. The result gave Arsenal their first league win at Anfield since 2012 and moved the defending champions three points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table.

Iraola’s frustration contrasted with Arteta’s satisfaction. The Arsenal manager said he had not seen the Isak incident and instead focused on his team’s response after losing to fourth-tier Fleetwood in the League Cup. He said Arsenal had to manage periods of pressure and “suffer” to complete a mission that had remained unfinished for 14 years.

Liverpool created opportunities after falling behind. Channels Television reported that Wirtz hit the crossbar with a free-kick, Mac Allister headed wide and Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya’s team survived sustained pressure. Alisson later saved from Tzolis, but Liverpool could not find an equaliser.

The defeat left Liverpool fifth, nine points behind the leaders. Iraola, who had suffered only his second defeat in 14 matches since arriving from Bournemouth, said his side had produced encouraging moments but acknowledged that the campaign remained at an early stage.