LIVERPOOL 0-1 ARSENAL: TIMBER SHIRT PULL SPARKS CONTROVERSY
LIVERPOOL — Liverpool suffered a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday, a result that left the home side fifth in the table and Arsenal top on 24 points. The match's defining moment came in the 21st minute when Alexander Isak rose to meet a cross from Bradley Barcola. Jurrien Timber pulled Isak's shirt as he attempted to head the ball, but referee Andy Madley waved play on and VAR did not intervene.
After the match, Arsenal manager Andoni Iraola said it was a 'clear penalty' and that he would instruct Isak to go to the floor in future after such incidents. 'Next time, the managers should tell Alex to go to the floor, otherwise they won't call it,' Iraola said.
Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai resisted the suggestion his team should dive. 'I don't think we are the type of team or players to do that but from now on we might need to do it,' Szoboszlai said. 'I don't know what they expect from us, to dive or something? I don't think we are the type of team or players to do that.' Captain Virgil van Dijk also expressed frustration, stating 'I think it was a clear penalty.'
Former referee Keith Hackett told Football Insider the evidence was clear, stating Timber should have been shown a red card for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. 'If the penalty kick had been awarded, then Timber should have been red carded for the denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity,' Hackett said.
The incident occurred with Liverpool yet to register a shot on target at Anfield in a Premier League home game, a first in Opta records dating to 2003-04. Arsenal's David Raya was booked for time-wasting in the 92nd minute as the visitors saw out the game.
The result leaves Liverpool fifth in the table while Arsenal move to 24 points. The Liverpool dressing room will likely discuss the decision in the coming days, with the PGMOL expected to review the incident in the coming weeks.
