Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola is unhappy with the refereeing after his team lost 1-0 to Arsenal at Anfield.
The Reds wanted a penalty after Jurrien Timber appeared to pull Alexander Isak’s shirt inside the box. However, referee Andy Madley allowed the game to continue. VAR official Stuart Attwell also supported that decision.
Iraola believes Liverpool should have received a spot-kick. He even joked that he might tell his players to dive next time.
His comments have started another debate about penalties, diving and Premier League refereeing.
Iraola Questions the Decision Against Alexander Isak
The incident happened during the first half of Liverpool’s clash with Arsenal on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
Liverpool had already fallen behind after Kai Havertz scored for the visitors. The home side then looked for an equaliser.
Alexander Isak moved towards a cross from Bradley Barcola. But Jurrien Timber appeared to pull the Liverpool striker’s shirt as he tried to reach the ball.
Isak stayed on his feet and continued his run. He did not fall or make a strong appeal to the referee.
Andy Madley saw no reason to award a penalty. VAR later checked the incident but did not ask the referee to change his decision.
Iraola strongly disagreed with the officials.
“There was a clear shirt pull. Alex was right in front of him and was going to head the ball towards goal, but he couldn’t do it because his shirt was being pulled,” Iraola told Match of the Day, according to the BBC.
The Liverpool manager believes Timber’s action stopped Isak from reaching the ball. In his view, the referee should have awarded a penalty.
‘If He Goes Down, It Is Definitely a Penalty’
Iraola then made a sarcastic comment about the situation.
He suggested that players may need to fall inside the box to win penalties. His words showed how frustrated he felt with the decision.
“If he goes down, it is definitely a penalty. It should be like that, but this is the reality. Next time, managers have to tell Alex to go down. Otherwise, the referee will not give a penalty,” Iraola said.
He repeated the same point when reporters asked him about the incident.
“The answer is that you have to dive. If you don’t go down, they won’t give you a penalty,” he added.
Iraola did not mean that diving should become part of Liverpool’s game. Instead, he used sarcasm to question how referees judge contact inside the penalty area.
Isak also chose not to make a major protest. He stayed on his feet and continued to play.
Liverpool Manager Plans to Speak to His Players
Iraola also told Sky Sports that he would speak to his players about similar situations.
He said he would deliver that message directly to Isak. The manager believes players face a difficult choice when they experience contact inside the box.
If they stay on their feet, the referee may ignore the incident. But if they fall, officials may accuse them of going down too easily.
Iraola returned to this point during his press conference.
“It’s a shame that you are asking me this question. But honestly, yes, we have to tell them to go down because otherwise the referee won’t give the foul,” he said.
He also questioned the way referees respond to players who fall after contact.
“Then referees complain about why players go down so easily. But if they don’t go down, the foul isn’t given. Then they say players are constantly going down,” he added.
Despite his frustration, Iraola praised Isak’s approach. He saw the striker as an honest player who tried to reach the ball rather than win a penalty.
Experts Debate Timber’s Shirt Pull
The penalty appeal has also sparked different opinions about the contact.
Some views suggest that Timber’s shirt pull was too light to count as sustained holding. Others believe the defender took a major risk by pulling Isak.
Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann shared his view with BBC Sport.
“Timber took a big risk by pulling that shirt. In another match, that decision could have resulted in a penalty,” Cann said.
Cann described the incident as a close call. He recognised that people could disagree about how long the shirt pull lasted.
Iraola also said that an apology from Pro Ref, the body responsible for Premier League refereeing, would not change the result.
For Liverpool, the main issue remains the missed chance to receive a penalty during an important moment in the match.
Liverpool Also Appeal for Another Penalty
The Isak incident was not Liverpool’s only penalty appeal against Arsenal.
The Reds also wanted a spot-kick after Cody Gakpo went down inside the box. Christos Tzolis put pressure on the Liverpool forward during that moment.
However, the referee did not award a penalty.
Both decisions added to Liverpool’s frustration after the final whistle. Arsenal held on to their lead and secured a 1-0 victory at Anfield.
Kai Havertz scored the only goal of the match. His effort gave Arsenal all three points.
Penalty Debate Continues After Liverpool vs Arsenal
Iraola’s comments have brought fresh attention to the way referees judge contact inside the box.
The Liverpool manager believes players should not need to fall to the ground to receive a clear foul. His remarks also highlight the mixed messages that players often hear about diving.
Football authorities face a difficult task. They must protect players who suffer genuine fouls while also discouraging simulation.
For now, Liverpool must move on from the defeat. But the penalty appeal involving Isak and Timber has added another talking point to the Premier League’s ongoing refereeing debate.
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