Liverpool Manager Andoni Iraola and Alexander Isak
Liverpool Manager Andoni Iraola and Alexander Isak
Arsenal beat Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield on November 1, their first Premier League win at the ground in 14 years.
Kai Havertz scored the only goal in the 16th minute, finishing at the back post from Declan Rice’s cross.
Liverpool had 17 efforts on David Raya’s goal, but none forced a save. Andoni Iraola’s side failed to land a shot on target at home for the first time on record.
Five minutes after the goal, a moment in the Arsenal box went unpunished. Bradley Barcola crossed, Alexander Isak glanced his header wide, and referee Andy Madley waved play on. VAR Stuart Attwell checked the incident and did not intervene.
Liverpool players and staff left Anfield convinced they had been wronged. 10 days later, the Premier League have given their verdict.
According to the Premier League’s Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel, Liverpool should have been awarded a penalty for Jurrien Timber’s holding on Isak in the 21st minute.
The panel voted 4:1 that the on-field decision was incorrect. One panellist felt the short-lived holding lacked a clear impact on Isak’s ability to progress.
The panel also voted 3:2 that VAR should have recommended an on-field review for a clear and obvious error. The two dissenting panellists felt the subjectivity in judging impact meant the incident did not meet the high threshold for VAR intervention.
The panel explained when holding becomes an offence. Officials must penalise holding that is sustained and has a clear material impact on play.
Referees consider whether a player focuses solely on his opponent, whether he tries to play the ball, whether he uses both arms, and whether the holding is sustained or affects the opponent or his clothing.
The panel concluded that Timber’s challenge met that threshold. It said the challenge “should have resulted in a penalty kick, both on-field and through VAR intervention.”
Liverpool made the same argument after the match. Iraola said: “The Alex Isak one is a clear penalty.”
Isak stayed on his feet and did not protest to the officials. Iraola said he would “definitely” tell the striker to go down next time.
Virgil van Dijk said he had seen such fouls given on other occasions. Jamie Carragher and Ian Wright also criticised the decision on Sky Sports on the day.
Liverpool beat Crystal Palace 3-1 at Selhurst Park on November 8, with Alexis Mac Allister, Florian Wirtz and Isak scoring. They sit fourth on 18 points. Arsenal lead the table on 27 points after beating Hull City 1-0.
Liverpool return to action against Manchester United at Anfield on November 22.
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