Andoni Iraola said Liverpool may have to tell their players to go down in the penalty area after two appeals were rejected during Arsenal’s 1-0 win at Anfield. Kai Havertz scored early after a poor clearance by Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, giving Arsenal their first victory at the stadium in 14 years.
Referee Andy Madley dismissed Liverpool’s first appeal when Jurriën Timber pulled Alexander Isak’s shirt as the forward tried to reach Bradley Barcola’s cross. Isak stayed on his feet, and Iraola argued that this worked against him.
“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. “Because if you don’t go down, you don’t call it.”
The Liverpool manager said Isak had been prevented from reaching the ball by a visible pull and believed the incident should have resulted in a penalty. He added that the Sweden international had tried to play the ball rather than exaggerate the contact.
A second appeal, involving a hold by Christos Tzolis on Cody Gakpo, was reviewed by video assistant referee Stuart Attwell but was not awarded. Iraola accepted the reasoning that the ball had travelled too far for Gakpo to reach it, but said that argument appeared inconsistent with the decision in the Isak incident.
“The Isak one is a clear penalty,” Iraola said. “Probably because he doesn’t dive or he doesn’t go to the floor. It shouldn’t be a reason not to concede a penalty.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said he had not seen the Isak incident but celebrated a significant victory after his team responded to their midweek Carabao Cup defeat by Fleetwood. Arsenal have now won at Anfield, Villa Park, the Stadium of Light and the City Ground, venues where they did not win while securing the title last season.
Arteta described the Anfield victory as a mission Arsenal had not completed for 14 years. He also praised his team after they denied Liverpool a shot on target in a Premier League match for the first time in 16 years, calling that defensive achievement remarkable.
Sources: The Guardian Sport.