Szoboszlai warns Liverpool may be forced to dive after Arsenal penalty controversy

Dominik Szoboszlai has warned that Liverpool players may have to resort to diving to earn penalties, following the controversial VAR decision that denied Alexander Isak a spot kick during Sunday’s 1-0 home defeat to Arsenal.

Isak was clearly held back by Jurrien Timber as he shaped to head towards goal, yet referee Andy Madley waved play on and VAR ruled the contact was not significant enough to intervene. The decision drew immediate fury from the Liverpool camp, with manager Andoni Iraola suggesting his players may need to go to ground more readily when they feel contact.

Szoboszlai, who came on as a second-half substitute, went further in his post-match comments. “It’s a penalty. I don’t know what they expect from us: to dive or something,” he said. “I don’t think we are the type of team or players to do that but from now on we might need to do it.”

The Hungarian midfielder was at pains to stress his personal distaste for simulation, even as he acknowledged the practical dilemma the decision creates. “It is not our type of play,” he added. “I don’t think in this moment you can think this way that ‘Oh, let me wait for someone touching me and I’ll fall down’. No, he is focusing on the ball and he wants to head the ball in the net.”

Szoboszlai argued the incident was unambiguous. “If Alex falls down it’s a clear penalty. Timber doesn’t really care about the ball and maybe if he doesn’t pull Alex’s shirt Alex can head it in the goal. You don’t have any other option, do you.”

The midfielder also reflected on the broader impact the call had on the match, suggesting a penalty conversion would have fundamentally altered the contest. “We are just one penalty less and that’s a big difference. If we go in the game 1-0 up you know Anfield, you know our quality. I know they are a great team still, it wouldn’t be easy for them to come back into the game.”

Szoboszlai said he did not approach Madley to protest, noting the futility of doing so. “If you go to him you get a yellow card,” he said. “We have to take the positive side out of it and keep on moving.”