Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola to tell forward Alexander Isak to dive
Andoni Iraola
Alexander Isak
Virgil van DijkLiverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has admitted he will instruct Alexander Isak to go to ground in the future after the forward was denied a penalty against Arsenal.
Kai Havertz netted the only goal of the game at Anfield as the league leaders registered their first victory away at Liverpool in 14 years. However, the match was marred by refereeing controversy when Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber pulled Isak’s shirt inside the penalty area as the striker attempted to meet a cross from Bradley Barcola.
Referee Andy Madley waved away the claims, and the incident survived a VAR review by Stuart Attwell. It is understood that the video assistant felt the pull was minor and did not have a game-changing impact, but Iraola was furious that his forward was punished for staying on his feet.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Iraola said:
“The Alex one is a clear penalty. You hold the shirt, we can all see that he holds the shirt. Because he doesn’t go to the floor, you are not going to call the penalty. I don’t understand it.”
The manager was pressed on whether he would actively order the Sweden international to make the most of future contact in the box, to which he confirmed he definitely would.
Speaking to reporters, Iraola added:
“It’s a shame you ask me this question, but honestly, yes, we have to tell them, go down. Because they’re not going to call it otherwise. And then referees complain why they go down.”
Van Dijk fumes as Liverpool suffer historic blank
The shirt-pull on Isak was not the only incident to irk the host side. Appeals were also turned down following a tussle involving Cody Gakpo and Christos Tzolis, while another challenge involving Alexis Mac Allister left Liverpool aggrieved. To cap off a heated afternoon, Reds captain Virgil van Dijk confronted Noni Madueke after the Arsenal man pushed his head into Mac Allister’s forehead despite already being on a yellow card.
Van Dijk did not hold back when offering his own thoughts on the decision not to punish Timber for pulling Isak’s jersey.
Speaking to the media, Van Dijk said:
“I think it was a clear penalty. I’ve seen it back and I’ve seen it being given. Today it wasn’t meant to be. We have 50 cameras.”
Arsenal’s defensive display made history as Mikel Arteta’s side prevented Liverpool from registering a single shot on target at Anfield, a first for the Reds in the Premier League era. Despite heavy pressure, the visitors held firm to move three points clear at the top of the table.
Arteta savours long-awaited Anfield success
Addressing the historic statistical feat after the final whistle, Arsenal manager Arteta admitted he was unaware of the record during the match but praised his side’s resilience in navigating tough moments.
Speaking to the press after the win, Arteta said:
“Just loving the mission. And the mission was something that we didn’t accomplish in 14 years. And there were reasons for that. Some of them were psychological problems. Some of them were related to the quality that we showed on the pitch…”
Liverpool now face a waiting period of 10 to 12 days for official feedback from the refereeing authorities, though Iraola knows any eventual explanation from the officiating body will not alter the result.
