Iraola says he will tell Liverpool players to go to ground after Isak penalty appeal

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola says he will tell his players to go to ground in future after Alexander Isak stayed on his feet during a shirt pull in Sunday’s 1-0 defeat by Arsenal — and was not awarded a penalty.

Isak was moving towards a header from Bradley Barcola’s cross when Jurrien Timber tugged his shirt. Referee Andy Madley allowed play to continue. VAR official Stuart Attwell decided the contact was not enough to overturn the decision.

Iraola said the pull prevented Isak from reaching the ball. “If he goes to the floor, they call the penalty 100%,” he told Match of the Day. “Next time, the managers should tell Alex to go to the floor.”

Asked at his news conference whether he would tell Isak to do so, Iraola replied: “Yes, definitely.” He said it was a shame to give that advice, but argued that players who stay upright are less likely to win such decisions.

The BBC reported that the contact was considered minimal and not sustained holding. Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann said the decision was “right on the limit”, adding that opinions could differ on whether the pull was sustained. He said Timber had taken a risk and that the penalty could have been given on another day.

Isak did not appeal to the referee after the incident. Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy said Arsenal “got lucky” and argued that Isak’s failure to make more of the contact may have affected the outcome. Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said the incident had been seen by many cameras, but accepted that the decision stood.