Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola was in agreement with Gary Neville regarding the Alexander Isak penalty controversy against Arsenal, when the striker was dragged back by Jurrien Timber
Alexander Isak was pulled back by Jurrien Timber during Liverpool vs Arsenal.
Alexander Isak was pulled back by Jurrien Timber during Liverpool vs Arsenal.(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola felt that Alexander Isak should have gone down to win a penalty against Arsenal when the Reds attacker was pulled back by Jurrien Timber.
Isak was dragged back but got his head to the ball anyway, with his touch diverting wide. But Iraola thought that the referee, Andy Madley, should have pointed to the spot regardless.
That was not the only controversy. Cody Gakpo was also tugged back at one stage, though, that would have been harsh. Noni Madueke could easily have been sent off, while Trey Nyoni was fortunate not to collect at least one caution early on.
"Especially the Alex [Isak] one," Iraola told Sky Sports. "Gakpo was sustained holding, I understand. 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."
Pressed on whether Isak should have gone down to leave the referee with a decision to make, Iraola added: "That's the problem we have with the game, because he doesn't dive and go to the floor.
Alexander Isak of Liverpool headers the ball as Jurrien Timber of Arsenal pulls his shirt during the Premier League 2026/27 match
Alexander Isak was denied a penalty in Liverpool's defeat against Arsenal(Image: Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images))
"The fact that you are even asking me if he should go to the floor, if he goes to the floor, they call the penalty 100 per cent.
"It should be like this but it is what it is. Next time, the managers should tell Alex to go to the floor, otherwise they won't call it."
Gary Neville felt that Isak should have made more of the challenge, though Jamie Carragher, also speaking on Sky Sports, insisted that he shouldn't have to in order to get a penalty kick.
"I was really surprised Isak did not make more of it because it was right in my eyeline," the former Manchester United man said on commentary.
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"Saying he should have made more of it, he shouldn't have to make more of that," Ian Wright explained during half-time.
"We can see that. Even as an Arsenal man I'm saying I'm glad we got away with that. Firstly I'm trying to head it, so unless I get pulled back, I'm going to head it. You can see when he's pulled him, it's the exact same amount as what he'd need to go and head it!"
Liverpool.com says: It should have been a penalty, but a lackluster performance from the Reds' forwards in the second half was just as big an issue.
Isak was very quiet and Bradley Barcola and Florian Wirtz needed to do more to get the ball over the line and break down the Arsenal defense.