Iraola says he will tell his players to dive after Isak penalty appeal denied
Andoni Iraola criticised the decision not to award Liverpool a penalty when Alexander Isak's shirt was pulled by Jurrien Timber, and said he will tell his players to go down in future.
Liverpool coach Andoni Iraola has criticised the decision not to award his side a penalty when Alexander Isak's shirt was pulled by Jurrien Timber during Sunday's defeat by Arsenal, and said he will instruct his players to go down in similar situations in future. Liverpool were trailing 1-0 to Kai Havertz's opener in the first half when Timber tugged Isak's shirt as the striker went to head Bradley Barcola's cross. Isak stayed on his feet and referee Andy Madley did not award a penalty.
VAR official Stuart Attwell decided the contact was not sufficient to overturn the on-field call. The understanding is that the play was allowed to continue because there was minimal contact and only a slight tug on the shirt, rather than a sustained holding offence. Iraola disagreed, saying there was a clear grab of the shirt and that Isak could not head at goal because of it.
"If he goes to the floor, they call the penalty 100%," Iraola told Match of the Day. He added that the answer going forward is that players have to dive, and said he would definitely tell Isak to go down in such situations. Asked whether an apology from Pro Ref, the Premier League's refereeing body, would help, Iraola said it would not change anything. He also described Isak as honest and said everyone could see the pull.
Liverpool had a second penalty appeal waved away when Cody Gakpo went down under pressure from Christos Tzolis. Isak turned and spoke to Timber after the incident but did not appeal to the referee.
Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann said Timber took a huge risk by grabbing the shirt and that it could easily have been given on another day, describing the call as right on the limit. Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy said Arsenal got lucky and that the decision came at a pivotal point, adding that he felt for the referee but thought there was enough for VAR to take another look. Gary Neville called it an odd reaction from Isak not to complain.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk defended Isak, pointing to the number of cameras and saying everyone had seen the incident, while acknowledging the decision went against his side and praising Arsenal.
