When even former Man United and Arsenal players are saying Liverpool were “cheated” in a game, you know it’s bad!
The Reds are stinging after Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at home to Arsenal, with Kai Havertz’s goal the difference at Anfield.
Andy Madley’s performance as referee left a lot to be desired, as the 43-year-old constantly fell for the Gunners’ dark arts and gave Liverpool very little throughout.
The Reds were bizarrely not given a penalty after a blatant shirt pull by Jurrien Timber on Alexander Isak in the first half, that denied Liverpool’s No. 9 the chance to head home a near-certain goal.
Arsenal monumental legend Freddie Ljungberg: “ It’s a blatant penalty”
Peter Schmeichel: “ Liverpool got cheated”
No wonder Arteta was fully convinced they would win ?? pic.twitter.com/ZNrzb2xjfx
— Vicky (@bootroom21) November 2, 2026
Speaking pitchside for Viaplay, ex-Man United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel was left stunned by the penalty decision.
“I think Liverpool got cheated, especially on the Isak one,” Schmeichel said.
“Why do we have to talk about it? Why don’t they see it?
“We see it in real time, like 70 yards away – why can’t they see it?”
Meanwhile, former Arsenal winger Freddie Ljungberg added: “That one is clear. That they missed that, the refereeing team!
“I thought sometimes the ref made some very strange decisions. I thought he was quite poor in his refereeing.
“But that – VAR, everything – can’t be missed. It’s a blatant penalty.”
Another big game ruined by the referee
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, November 1, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk is show a yellow card by referee Andrew Madley (R) after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield. Liverpool lost 1-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, November 1, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk is show a yellow card by referee Andrew Madley (R) after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield. Liverpool lost 1-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
It’s now almost becoming farcical how often high-profile games are defined by the performance of the referee and VAR, with Sunday’s game no different.
The foul on Isak was clear to see, and the Swede has essentially been punished for not going to ground and calling for a penalty.
All that is doing is encouraging players to go down easily, which is what both Gabriel and Alexis Mac Allister did in either half, and then received criticism for it.
That’s now back-to-back big games where Liverpool have been robbed at home, with Ryan Gravenberch’s sending off against Man City last month also laughable.
And some have the gall to say the Reds constantly get favoured at Anfield!
Frankly, The level of refereeing in the Premier League isn’t fit for purpose currently, and head-scratching decisions will continue to affect teams as the season goes on.
2026-11-01-185-Liverpool_Arsenal
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, November 1, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield. Arsenal won 1-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Football – Pre-Season Friendly – Liverpool FC v AS Monaco
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's Trey Nyoni during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. Monaco won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)