Iraola questions penalty decisions after Liverpool’s defeat by Arsenal

Andoni Iraola said Liverpool deserved more from their 1-0 home defeat by Arsenal on Sunday, while questioning why the referee did not award a penalty after Alexander Isak’s shirt was pulled inside the area.

The result came in the ninth round of the Premier League and ended Arsenal’s long wait for a league victory at Anfield. Arsenal’s previous Premier League win at Liverpool’s ground had come in 2012.

“We wanted a better result today,” Iraola told BBC Sport. “We take responsibility, especially for the start of the match. After conceding, perhaps we had less to defend, so we played with more freedom and greater courage.

“I thought we changed the course of the game in the first half and finished it very well. We tried in the second half but could not score.”

Liverpool hit the bar and created other opportunities, but were unable to turn their pressure into a goal.

“We hit the bar and had good chances that we could not take,” Iraola added. “We definitely deserved a goal.”

The Liverpool manager was pleased with the response from his players after they fell behind and said he had enjoyed much of the match despite the result.

“I liked the reaction of my players after we went 1-0 down,” he said. “We finished the first half extremely well and continued to press. I enjoyed many moments of the game.”

Iraola also urged his team to remain focused, pointing out that the campaign was still at an early stage despite the defeat.

“We have to continue. The season is still beginning,” he said. “Arsenal are in their best form, but today is only the start of November. We have many matches ahead of us.”

Iraola: ‘You have to dive’

Asked why Liverpool had not been awarded a penalty, particularly after Isak’s shirt was pulled in the box, Iraola said the incident was clear.

“The incident was clearly seen. There was an obvious shirt pull,” he said. “Alex was directly in front of him and was going to head the ball in front of goal, but he could not because his shirt was being pulled.

“I do not understand why they did not award a penalty. Perhaps it was because he did not go to the ground.”

Iraola contrasted that decision with an incident involving Gakpo, which he felt should not have resulted in a spot-kick.

“I do not think Gakpo’s penalty was correct, whereas Isak’s was because he was trying to head the ball in front of the goalkeeper,” he said. “His shirt was held. I do not understand why a penalty was not given.”

He then added: “You have to dive. If you do not dive, penalties will not be awarded.”

When asked whether he would tell Isak to go down in similar circumstances in future, the Spanish manager replied: “Yes, definitely.”

Iraola admitted it was difficult to assess whether Liverpool were moving in the right direction immediately after a defeat, particularly following a run of five victories.

“It is difficult to judge after a loss, especially after five wins,” he said. “This was an important match for us and we are very disappointed.”