Andoni Iraola fumes at referees over Liverpool penalty claim in Arsenal loss: 'You have to dive'

Liverpool manager Iraola criticised referee Andy Madley after Alexander Isak's penalty appeal was rejected in the 1-0 loss to Arsenal, saying players must dive to win decisions.

Liverpool lost 1-0 to Arsenal at Anfield, with Kai Havertz's early goal deciding the match. The hosts had two penalty appeals waved away in the first half, with the more contentious involving Alexander Isak being pulled back by Jurrien Timber in the box.

Manager Andoni Iraola expressed frustration with referee Andy Madley's decision-making, telling BBC Sport: "There is a clear grab of the shirt. Alex was just in front of him, he was going to head in front of the goal but couldn't because he had the shirt. I don't understand why they didn't call it, probably because he has not gone to the floor."

Iraola suggested that Isak should have gone down to win the penalty, saying: "You have to dive, if you don't dive they won't call it." He added that managers should instruct players to fall to the ground to ensure referees award penalties. Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk also branded the challenge a "clear penalty" and expressed his own frustration at the decision.