Liverpool vs Arsenal: Isak penalty row defines frustrating Anfield defeat

Liverpool can complain about one major decision, and they would be right to do so. They can also look at their own attacking display and know that it was nowhere near good enough. Both things are true.

Against Arsenal at Anfield, Liverpool failed to register a single shot on target. That is the hard fact. For all the pressure they applied and for all the territory they had across long spells, the final action was missing. The build-up often looked decent, the intent was there, but the cutting edge never arrived.

Still, the biggest moment in the game came inside the box, and Liverpool had every reason to be furious. Alexander Isak was pulled back by Jurrien Timber as he attacked a header, and it looked a penalty in real time. On replay, it looked even worse. Andy Madley waved it away, and VAR chose not to intervene. That is the sort of decision that leaves players, coaches and supporters asking what the point of the system is.

Photo: IMAGO

Alexander Isak penalty claim sparks anger

Andoni Iraola will have been frustrated by the lack of creativity, but he will also know his side should have had a route back into the match from 12 yards. In a tight contest against a disciplined Arsenal back line, those moments matter.

There was agreement from the other side too. “That one is clear, they missed that the refereeing team,” came the verdict. “I thought sometimes the ref made very strange decisions. I thought he was quite poor in his refereeing. But that, with VAR, that can’t be missed. It’s a blatant penalty.”

Liverpool attack fails to trouble Arsenal

That decision was huge, but it does not excuse Liverpool’s bluntness in the final third. Arsenal defended well, no question, but Liverpool have enough quality in forward areas to do more than huff and puff. No shot on target at Anfield tells its own story.

The pressure was real, the end product was not. Too many promising positions broke down, too many attacks lacked precision, and Arsenal were allowed to survive without the goalkeeper being properly tested.

Andoni Iraola left with two problems

Iraola leaves this game with two separate frustrations. First, Liverpool were denied what looked like an obvious penalty. Second, his team still failed to create enough clear chances to force the issue. One is on the officials. The other is on Liverpool.

That is the truth of it. The penalty call was bad. The attacking output was worse. Liverpool can feel aggrieved, but they also need to be sharper.