Iraola fumes as Liverpool’s triple substitution is caught in a technical hold-up

Andoni Iraola criticised the officials after Liverpool were prevented from making three substitutions when they wanted during their 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest in the Premier League at Anfield on Saturday.

The score was 1-1 in the second half when Iraola attempted to introduce Ryan Gravenberch, Kostas Tsimikas and Rio Ngumoha at the same time.

However, despite the ball going out of play on three occasions, the three players remained waiting on the touchline because fourth official Tim Robinson encountered a problem with the substitution board.

Liverpool’s frustration increased when the ball went out for a third time but play was not stopped to allow the changes to be made. Nottingham Forest took a quick throw-in, and the move led to a penalty which restored their lead.

Forest winger Neco Williams ran in behind Liverpool’s defensive line before goalkeeper Alisson intervened as he attempted to shoot. Although the ball then went out of play, referee Samuel Barrott awarded a penalty.

Speaking to BBC Arabic, Iraola questioned both the decision to award the spot-kick and the delay to Liverpool’s substitutions.

“Regarding the penalty, the situation had already ended when the contact happened. It was not heavy contact,” he said.

“But what we complained about most was the substitutions. We had to wait around three minutes.”

Iraola said Liverpool had wanted to make the changes during one of the previous stoppages, before Forest regained the advantage.

“We wanted to make the substitutions during the last two or three stoppages before the goal. It was not the only reason we conceded the goal, but everything helps,” he added.

The Liverpool manager was even more direct when speaking to TNT Sports, insisting that the delay was unacceptable for a professional fourth official.

“A professional fourth official cannot take three minutes. We told him about the substitutions two or three minutes earlier,” Iraola said.

“I was already angry because we were not able to make the substitutions during the previous stoppage, and then, before the throw-in, I thought we would be able to make them.”

He said he had been left without an explanation for what happened.

“I do not know, they have to explain it. But it took far too long,” Iraola added.

The substitutions were ultimately not made during the sequence that began with Forest’s quick throw-in and ended with the penalty. The incident became a central point of Iraola’s post-match criticism as Liverpool were held to a draw at Anfield.