Iraola Calls for Changes After Isak's Penalty Snub

Andoni Iraola is making it clear: if his players want to earn penalties, they might need to take a tumble. Following Alexander Isak's penalty denial in Arsenal's first victory at Anfield in 14 years, the Liverpool manager vented his frustration at the officiating. Liverpool suffered a 1-0 defeat thanks to Kai Havertz's early goal, but it was the referee's decisions that left Iraola fuming. He felt that Isak was denied a clear penalty when Arsenal defender Jurriën Timber pulled his shirt, preventing him from reaching a cross from Bradley Barcola. Another claim involving Cody Gakpo was reviewed by VAR but ultimately rejected. Iraola lamented Isak's decision to stay on his feet, suggesting it hurt their chances. "It’s unfortunate to say this, but honestly, yes, we need to tell them to go down because otherwise, they won’t call it," he stated. He pointed out the inconsistency in how penalties are awarded, criticizing the notion that not going down should influence a referee's call. "The Isak incident was a clear penalty," Iraola insisted. "He was about to head the ball, and everyone could see Timber pulling his shirt. I don’t understand why it wasn’t given. Perhaps it's because he didn't fall, but that shouldn't be a reason to deny a penalty." Iraola acknowledged the reasoning behind the Gakpo incident but felt it contradicted the explanation for Isak. "If you accept that Gakpo's was a foul, you have to see that the first one was, too. You can't apply different standards." In stark contrast, Arsenal's Mikel Arteta was riding high after the match. Celebrating his first victory at Anfield as manager, he reflected on the team's resilience after their Carabao Cup exit against Fleetwood. "It feels incredible to finally win here after such a long wait. I’m extremely proud of the players, especially considering how we bounced back from the last match." Arsenal's win at Anfield marked a significant achievement, as they have now triumphed at four venues where they struggled last season. Arteta noted, "This mission has been 14 years in the making. We faced mental and tactical challenges, and we knew we had to overcome them." When informed that Arsenal had denied Liverpool a shot on target for the first time in 16 years, Arteta was pleasantly surprised. "I didn’t know that stat, but it’s remarkable. Liverpool is known for their attacking prowess, so to limit them like that is something to be proud of."