By Samuel Akpan
Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola has revealed he will now order Alexander Isak to dive on the floor after VAR denied a clear penalty during Sunday’s 1-0 defeat by Arsenal at Anfield.
The Reds recorded form of LDDLLLLLLDDDLW, bringing an end to their 13-match league winless run, yet the loss left them trailing as Arsenal returned to the Premier League summit.
Kai Havertz’s 16th-minute strike sealed the Gunners’ first Anfield league win in over fourteen years, as a superb defensive effort kept the hosts at bay throughout.
Moments after the opener, Isak rose for Bradley Barcola’s cross only to miss the ball after Jurrien Timber tugged his shirt back, with referee Andy Madley and VAR refusing to intervene.
Sky Sports experts Jamie Carragher, Daniel Sturridge and Ian Wright all insisted Liverpool should have been given the spot-kick, arguing Isak was denied it simply for not making more of the contact.
Iraola furiously stated the hold was obvious and that failing to go down meant no call, vowing he will definitely instruct the Swede to hit the deck next time in the box.
Liverpool have failed to register a shot on target in their last two meetings with Arsenal, their previous effort being Dominik Szoboszlai’s free-kick goal in August 2025, while Virgil van Dijk also slammed the decision.
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