I'll tell my players to dive in future - Iraola

Iraola criticised the decision not to award a penalty for a shirt pull on Isak, saying managers must now tell players to dive to get decisions.

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has hit out at referee Andy Madley and VAR official Stuart Attwell after a penalty was denied in Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Arsenal.

With Liverpool trailing to Kai Havertz's opener, Alexander Isak was pulled by Jurrien Timber's shirt as he went for a header from Bradley Barcola's cross in the first half. Isak stayed on his feet but Madley did not award a penalty, and Attwell determined there was insufficient contact to overturn the decision.

Iraola disagreed strongly. "There is a clear grab of the shirt," he told Match of the Day. "If he goes to the floor, they call the penalty 100%. 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." He later added: "The answer is you have to dive, if you don't dive they won't call it." When asked if he would instruct Isak accordingly going forward, Iraola confirmed: "Yes, definitely." Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann said the decision was "right on the limit" and noted it was unusual that Isak did not appeal.