Iraola vows to tell Liverpool players to dive after Isak penalty denied in Arsenal defeat

Andoni Iraola conceded he will tell his Liverpool players to simulate contact after Alexander Isak was denied a penalty during a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at Anfield — a result that handed the Gunners their first win at the ground in 14 years.

Referee Andy Madley waved away Liverpool’s appeals after TV footage appeared to show Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber pulling Isak’s shirt inside the box. The decision survived a VAR check, with officials understood to have judged the hold too minor to have a game-changing impact. Kai Havertz’s goal proved the difference on the night.

Iraola was unambiguous in his frustration. “The Isak one is a clear penalty, they grab him, everyone see the shirt and probably because he doesn’t dive,” the Spaniard said. Asked whether he would now instruct his players to go to ground in similar situations, he replied: “It is a shame you ask me this question but honestly, yes, if you don’t go down — but I think Alex is honest, everyone can see straight away it is a clear pull. It was a clear penalty for us.”

Former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge, working as a pundit, echoed the sentiment, saying that “if Isak makes more of it then it’s a penalty.” Iraola added that he expects the Professional Game Match Officials (Pro Ref) to review the incident within 10 to 12 days, though he acknowledged any verdict would not change the result.

The evening also featured a flashpoint involving Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk and Chelsea loanee Noni Madueke, who pressed his forehead into Alexis Mac Allister’s despite already being booked. Mac Allister’s reaction drew its own criticism from observers.

Van Dijk offered a measured assessment of Iraola’s early tenure, saying: “When someone new comes in the building and everything changes, it just needs time. I’m pretty sure things will click and things will work out.”

Arsenal’s defensive performance carried a historic footnote: it was the first time in Premier League history that Liverpool had not registered a single shot on target at Anfield. Gunners manager Mikel Arteta acknowledged the significance of ending a 14-year wait. “Just loving the mission,” Arteta said. “And the mission was something that we didn’t accomplish in 14 years. And there were reasons for that — some of them were psychological problems, some of them were related to the quality that we showed on the pitch at certain moments or decisions. And we knew that we need to nail absolutely all of them.”