Andoni Iraola, the Liverpool manager, expressed his dissatisfaction with the refereeing after the 1-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Premier League match played at Anfield on Sunday, 1 November.
Kai Havertz’s goal sealed Arsenal’s first win at Anfield in 14 years, while Iraola’s side failed to turn their superiority into a goal.
The penalty that was not given
The most controversial moment of the match was the decision not to award Liverpool a penalty when Jurrien Timber pulled Alexander Isak’s shirt, stopping him from heading at goal.
After the match, speaking to BBC Sport, Iraola suggested the foul might have been given if Isak had made more of it. “We wanted a different result today. We have to take the blame, especially from the start of the game,” said the manager.
On the penalties that were not awarded, Iraola was forthright: “There was a clear shirt pull. Alex was right in front of him, he was going to head at goal, but he couldn’t because he was held. I don’t understand why it wasn’t given, probably because he didn’t go down.”
The manager distinguished between the incidents, saying the foul on Isak should have been given, while the one on Gakpo was not a penalty.
The team’s reaction and the future
Iraola also praised the players’ response after conceding, stressing that the team “played more freely and bravely” in the second half. “We finished the first half very well and kept up the pressure. We had good chances – we hit the bar and had situations we couldn’t convert. We definitely deserved a goal,” he added.
After the defeat, Liverpool are in a difficult position, but Iraola remains confident. “It’s still very early in the season. Arsenal are in good form, but we are only at the start of November. There are plenty of games ahead,” he concluded, making clear that the squad must keep working to turn things around.
The pressure builds as the season goes on, and fans hope the team will find their way back to winning ways.
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