Virgil van Dijk and Andoni Iraola hit out after Liverpool denied ‘clear penalty’ against Arsenal – as Reds boss reveals he will tell Alexander Isak to ‘dive on floor’ in future
Andoni Iraola has revealed he will now tell Alexander Isak to ‘dive on the floor’ as he and Virgil van Dijk hit out at VAR after Liverpool were denied a ‘clear penalty’ during Sunday’s 1-0 defeat by Arsenal.
The Gunners ended their 14-year wait for a Premier League victory at Anfield to return to the top of the table, keeping Liverpool at bay with a superb defensive performance after Kai Havertz opened the scoring in the 16th minute.
Just minutes after the German’s opener, Liverpool striker Isak looked to have a golden opportunity to equalise when he rose to meet Bradley Barcola’s cross, only to miss the ball after having his shirt pulled back by Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber.
Despite clearly tugging the Swede’s shirt, Timber escaped punishment from referee Andy Madley, while VAR opted not to intervene and award Liverpool a penalty despite protests from Iraola and his players.
Sky Sports pundits Jamie Carragher, Daniel Sturridge and Ian Wright unanimously agreed Liverpool should have been awarded a penalty at half-time and suggested that Isak was denied the spot-kick because he failed to make more of the incident.
Iraola furiously said after the match: ‘The Alex [Isak] one is a clear penalty. You hold the shirt, we can all see that he holds the shirt. Because he doesn’t go to the floor, you are not going to call the penalty. I don’t understand it.
Andoni Iraola (right) and Virgil van Dijk (left) hit out at VAR after Liverpool were denied a ‘clear penalty’ during Arsenal’s 1-0 win at Anfield on Sunday
Alexander Isak was blatantly pulled back by Jurrien Timber but was not awarded a penalty
‘That’s the problem we have with the game. Because he doesn’t dive and go to the floor. The fact that you are even asking me if he should go to the floor, if he goes to the floor, they call the penalty 100 per cent.
‘It should be like this but it is what it is. Next time, the managers should tell Alex to go to the floor, otherwise they won’t call it.’
Asked if he will tell Isak to do that in future, the Spaniard replied: ‘Yes, definitely.’
Reds captain Virgil van Dijk also took aim at VAR after the match, expressing his disappointment at the defeat.
‘I think it was a clear penalty. I’ve seen it back and I’ve seen it being given. Today it wasn’t meant to be,’ he said.
Asked if Isak should have reacted more, the Dutchman added: ‘We have 50 cameras. Why does he have to complain when there are so many cameras?
‘Everyone has seen it. In the end it wasn’t given and we lose the game unfortunately, so well done to Arsenal.’
Former Liverpool defender Carragher was furious that VAR had not intervened as he analysed the incident at half-time.
Van Dijk insisted it should not be on his team-mate Isak to make more of the incident
‘One of the best goal-scorers in the league is pulled back seven yards from goal, and the pull back stops him heading the ball. Why does he need to make a meal of it? VAR, do your job,’ he said bluntly.
Arsenal moved to the top of the table on 24 points with victory at Anfield, while Liverpool remained fifth after Brighton and Chelsea, who are third and fourth respectively, both won on Saturday.
