Liverpool coach Andoni Iraola has said he will advise his players to go to ground when fouled in the penalty area, following Liverpool’s controversial penalty appeal during their 1-0 defeat by Arsenal on Sunday.
Liverpool were denied a first-half penalty after Jurrien Timber appeared to pull Alexander Isak’s shirt as the striker attempted to get on the end of a cross from Bradley Barcola.
Isak remained on his feet despite the contact, while referee Andy Madley waved play on. Video assistant referee (VAR) Stuart Attwell subsequently reviewed the incident but decided there was insufficient contact to overturn the on-field decision.
However, Iraola disagreed with the decision, arguing that Isak’s attempt to stay upright cost Liverpool a penalty.
As reported by BBC Sport on Sunday, Iraola was quoted as saying, “There is a clear grab of the shirt,” the Liverpool manager told Match of the Day.
“Alex [Isak] was just in front of him, he was going to head in front of the goal but couldn’t because he grabbed the shirt.
“If he goes to the floor, they call the penalty 100%. It should be like this but it is what it is. Next time, the managers should tell Alex to go to the floor, otherwise they won’t call it.”
Asked what players should do in similar situations in the future, Iraola added: “The answer is you have to dive, if you don’t dive they won’t call it.”
The Spaniard also confirmed that he would advise Isak to go down in such circumstances rather than remain on his feet.
“Yes, definitely,” he said when asked whether he would give the striker that instruction.
Speaking further at his post-match news conference, Iraola expressed frustration with what he believes is an approach that disadvantages players who try to remain on their feet.
“It’s a shame you ask me this question, but honestly, yes, we have to tell them, go down, because they’re not going to call it otherwise,” he said.
“And then referees complain why they go down. Because if you don’t go down, you don’t call it. Then it’s like, no, you are all the time going down.”
He, however, praised Isak for attempting to play honestly rather than exaggerating the contact.
“But I think Alex is honest. He tries to go for the ball, everyone can see live straight away that there is a clear, clear pull,” Iraola added.
The understanding is that the contact between Timber and Isak was considered minimal, with the shirt tug viewed as insufficiently sustained to constitute a holding offence.
Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann told BBC Sport that Timber had taken a significant risk by pulling the Liverpool forward’s shirt.
“Timber takes a huge risk by grabbing the shirt. It could easily have been given on another day,” Cann said.
“It’s right on the limit. It has to be sustained holding – some will say it was sustained, some will say it wasn’t. But it’s interesting that Isak didn’t even appeal.”
Iraola also admitted that an apology from Pro Ref, the Premier League’s refereeing body, would do little to change the situation.
Liverpool had another penalty appeal rejected when Cody Gakpo went down inside the box under pressure from Christos Tzolis.
The controversy has once again raised questions about consistency in Premier League officiating and whether players who attempt to stay on their feet are being disadvantaged when seeking penalties.