Sports · Football · 5 hrs ago
Iraola says he will tell Isak to go down after penalty appeal is denied
Arsenal beat Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield, with Kai Havertz scoring the only goal.
The result gave Arsenal their first win at Liverpool’s ground in 14 years.
Liverpool appealed for a penalty after Arsenal defender Jurriën Timber pulled Alexander Isak’s shirt as he tried to reach a cross.
The referee did not award a penalty, and Isak stayed on his feet rather than going to ground.
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola said he would tell Isak to go down next time because, in his view, officials may not call a foul otherwise.
Iraola called the decision inconsistent with a separate penalty appeal involving Cody Gakpo, which he said he understood was rejected.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised his players for responding to a midweek cup defeat and winning at Anfield.
Liverpool lost 1-0 to Arsenal at Anfield after Kai Havertz scored the only goal.
Liverpool’s manager, Andoni Iraola, said he would tell Alexander Isak to go down in future after a penalty appeal was rejected.
Isak’s shirt was pulled by Arsenal defender Jurriën Timber as he tried to reach a cross, but Isak stayed on his feet and referee Andy Madley did not award a penalty.
Video assistant referee Stuart Attwell did not overturn the decision.
Liverpool also had a penalty appeal involving Cody Gakpo waved away.
- Who
- Liverpool and manager Andoni Iraola; Arsenal won the match.
- What
- Iraola said he would tell Isak to go down in future after Liverpool were denied a penalty.
- When
- Sunday, 1 November 2026.
- Where
- Anfield, Liverpool.
- Why
- Iraola said Isak’s shirt was pulled and suggested the appeal was rejected because Isak did not go to ground.
Liverpool's view
Officials' decision
Isak shirt-pull
Liverpool's view
Iraola said the shirt pull was a clear penalty and that Isak was prevented from reaching the ball.
Officials' decision
The decision stood; the understanding reported by BBC Sport was that the contact was a slight tug rather than sustained holding.
Gakpo penalty appeal
Liverpool's view
Iraola said he understood the argument that Gakpo would not have reached the ball, but said that reasoning was inconsistent with the Isak decision.
Officials' decision
The appeal was rejected after officials judged the ball was too long in the air for Gakpo to reach it.
Arsenal took the lead at Anfield.
Isak’s penalty appeal after Timber pulled his shirt was rejected.
Liverpool’s penalty appeal involving Gakpo was also rejected.
Iraola said he would tell his players to go down in future.
- Final score
- Liverpool 0-1 Arsenal
- Goal
- Kai Havertz scored the only goal.
- Isak incident
- Jurriën Timber pulled Alexander Isak’s shirt as he tried to reach Bradley Barcola’s cross.
- Referee
- Andy Madley did not award the penalty.
- VAR
- Stuart Attwell did not overturn the decision.
- Other appeal
- Cody Gakpo’s penalty appeal was also rejected.
4 sources
‘We have to tell them to go down’: Iraola responds to Isak penalty denial for Liverpool
I'll tell my players to dive in future - Iraola
Virgil van Dijk and Andoni Iraola hit out after Liverpool denied 'clear penalty' against Arsenal - as Reds boss reveals he will tell Alexander Isak to 'dive on floor' in future
Iraola says he'll tell Isak to go down after VAR misses Arsenal foul
What people are saying
There is a clear grab of the shirt
we have to tell them to go down because they’re not going to call it otherwise.
I think it was a clear penalty
It has to be sustained holding - some will say it was sustained, some will say it wasn't.