After refereeing decisions were under the spotlight in Liverpool's clash with Arsenal, Andoni Iraola has given his final thoughts surrounding some clear calls for a penalty
Andoni Iraola manager / head coach of Liverpool with Alexander Isak of Liverpool after the Premier League 2026/27 match between Brentford and Liverpool FC
Andoni Iraola has been asked about the penalty decisions that went against Liverpool in the recent meeting with Arsenal(Image: (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images))
Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola has revealed that he has not asked Pro Ref for an explanation regarding penalty appeals for the Reds in the defeat to Arsenal over the weekend.
The Reds were denied a few different shouts for a spot-kick, with the most controversial call being made against Alexander Isak midway through the match.
The Swedish international appeared to have a free chance at goal from a cross, but with Jurrien Timber pulling on his jersey, the striker was unable to make any contact with the ball. While Isak was mooted in his appeals, having stayed on his feet during the incident, there were stronger shouts from the technical area.
Iraola was seen clearly asking for a spot-kick, pointing out the sustained pulling of the jersey, believing that VAR should have looked at the incident and overturned it.
That never followed, however, with Liverpool going on to lose the match on the day by a narrow one-goal margin. That led to the manager suggesting that he would tell players to go to ground in the future, believing that some of those calls would start to go in his side's favor.
While reflections have been taking place on the match since, and attention has seemingly turned towards the upcoming midweek clash with Fenerbahce, Iraola was once again asked about the decisions, and whether he has looked for an explanation from Pro Ref, the organization in charge of the match officials.
Liverpool's Spanish head coach Andoni Iraola applauds fans on the pitch after the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on November 1, 2026. Arsenal won the game 1-0. (Photo by Darren Staples / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
Andoni Iraola applauds fans on the pitch after his Liverpool side's defeat to Arsenal (Image: Darren Staples / AFP via Getty Images)
"No, I didn't ask for an explanation; I didn't get an explanation," the Liverpool boss told reporters. "I told you what I think about the plays but honestly I don't have time, we're planning for Fenerbahce.
"We have just two days between games, so I've just been focusing on this game, this opposition, and how to prepare the team for tomorrow."
It certainly suggests that the manager hasn't been weighed down by the referee decisions from the weekend, as he looks to reflect and then quickly look ahead to the next challenge for his team.
Given the quick turnaround, it's something that Liverpool needs in a manager, with his ability to refocus clearly allowing the side to move on and look to put things right with results, with than words in the press.
While the possibility of a Premier League title charge may seem far away after the defeat to Arsenal, there's little that can be done retrospectively, so effort is put into what can change for the club, which is the upcoming fixtures and the results they may bring.
A victory against Fenerbahce in the Champions League will keep the 100 per cent win record that the Reds have in the competition so far, pushing them a step close to automatic qualification for the round of 16.
Then attention quickly has to switch again, with Crystal Palace rounding off the Premier League action before the November international break, where yet more reflection can take place on Liverpool's start to the campaign under the Spaniard.