Iraola Vows to Tell Liverpool Players to Dive After Arsenal Penalty Controversy

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Key Takeaways

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola criticised the decision not to award his team a penalty against Arsenal.
Alexander Isak appeared to have his shirt pulled by Jurrien Timber while attempting to reach a cross from Bradley Barcola.
Referee Andy Madley waved play on, and VAR official Stuart Attwell upheld the decision.
Iraola said he would advise Isak and his teammates to go to ground in similar situations in future.
The Liverpool manager argued that Isak’s decision to remain on his feet contributed to the failure to receive a penalty.
Liverpool also had a separate penalty appeal involving Cody Gakpo rejected.
Arsenal won the match 1-0, with Kai Havertz scoring the decisive goal.

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has vowed to encourage his players to go to ground when challenged inside the penalty area after his side were denied a penalty during their 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday, November 1.

The controversial incident involved Liverpool striker Alexander Isak, whose shirt appeared to be pulled by Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber as he attempted to reach a cross from Bradley Barcola.

Despite the apparent shirt pull, Isak remained on his feet, while referee Andy Madley allowed play to continue. VAR official Stuart Attwell subsequently upheld the on-field decision, ruling that the contact was not sufficient to overturn the referee’s call.

Iraola was unhappy with the decision and argued that Isak had been prevented from reaching the ball because of Timber’s hold on his shirt.

Iraola Questions Decision Not To Award Liverpool A Penalty

Speaking after the match on Match of the Day, Iraola insisted that the contact on Isak was clear and should have resulted in a penalty for Liverpool.

“There is a clear grab of the shirt,” the Spaniard told Match of the Day. “Alex [Isak] was just in front of him; he was going to head in front of the goal but couldn’t because he grabbed the shirt.

“If he goes to the floor, they call the penalty 100%. It should be like this, but it is what it is. Next time, the managers should tell Alex to go to the floor, otherwise they won’t call it.”

— Andoni Iraola, speaking to Match of the Day.

The Liverpool manager suggested that Isak’s decision to remain upright may have influenced the officials’ response to the incident.

According to Iraola, the forward was focused on reaching the ball rather than making the most of the contact, but that approach appeared to work against Liverpool when the penalty appeal was rejected.

Iraola Confirms He Will Advise Isak To Go Down

Iraola was also questioned by Sky Sports about whether he would advise Isak to go to ground in similar situations in future.

The Liverpool manager gave a direct response, confirming that he would encourage the striker to do so.

“Yes, definitely.”

— Andoni Iraola, responding to Sky Sports.

His response reinforced his frustration with the decision and raised further questions about whether players who remain on their feet after being fouled are less likely to receive penalty decisions.

Liverpool Manager Criticises The Situation Facing Players

During his post-match press conference, Iraola expanded on his concerns about the way penalty decisions are handled.

He argued that players are placed in a difficult position when officials fail to award penalties unless they visibly go to ground after contact.

“It’s a shame you ask me this question, but honestly, yes, we have to tell them to go down because they are not going to call it otherwise.

“And then referees complain why they go down. Because if you don’t go down, you don’t call it. Then it’s like, no, you are all the time going down.

“But I think Alex is honest. He tries to go for the ball, everyone can see live straight away there is a clear, clear pull.”

— Andoni Iraola, speaking at his post-match press conference.

Iraola maintained that Isak had attempted to play the ball rather than exaggerate the contact. He was particularly disappointed that the striker’s effort to remain on his feet did not result in a penalty being awarded.

The Liverpool manager also indicated that an apology from the Professional Game Match Officials would do little to change his view of the incident.

Liverpool Had Another Penalty Appeal Rejected

The Isak incident was not Liverpool’s only penalty appeal during the encounter.

The Reds also appealed for a spot-kick after Cody Gakpo went to ground under pressure from Christos Tzolis.

However, the officials again decided against awarding a penalty.

Iraola viewed the two incidents differently. While he remained convinced that the challenge on Isak should have resulted in a spot-kick, he acknowledged the argument against awarding one for the contact involving Gakpo.

The two decisions nevertheless added to Liverpool’s frustration during a match in which they were unable to find an equaliser.

Arsenal Leave Anfield With All Three Points

Arsenal secured a 1-0 victory over Liverpool, with Kai Havertz scoring the decisive goal in the 16th minute.

The result gave Mikel Arteta’s side a significant away victory at Anfield, while Liverpool were left disappointed by their inability to turn their attacking efforts into goals.

The disputed penalty involving Isak became one of the major talking points after the final whistle, with Iraola’s comments placing renewed attention on the relationship between players’ reactions and refereeing decisions.

His willingness to tell Liverpool players to go to ground in future also highlights the frustration managers can feel when they believe their players are not being rewarded for staying on their feet after contact.

The debate over the Isak incident is likely to continue, particularly as questions remain about consistency in the way similar challenges are judged.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why was Liverpool denied a penalty against Arsenal?

Liverpool appealed for a penalty after Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber appeared to pull Alexander Isak’s shirt as the striker attempted to reach a cross from Bradley Barcola. Referee Andy Madley did not award a penalty, and VAR official Stuart Attwell upheld the decision.

2. What did Andoni Iraola say about the penalty decision?

Iraola described the shirt pull as clear and argued that Isak was prevented from reaching the ball. He also suggested that the striker might have won a penalty if he had gone to ground.

3. Will Andoni Iraola tell Liverpool players to dive?

Iraola confirmed that he would advise his players to go to ground in similar situations in future, responding “Yes, definitely” when asked by Sky Sports whether he would give Isak that advice.