Iraola says Liverpool are too honest after Arsenal penalty call
The Liverpool head coach questioned whether his side are too honest after they were denied a penalty in Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Arsenal.
Andoni Iraola said Liverpool are an honest group, and at times too honest, after his side were denied a penalty in Sunday's 1-0 Premier League defeat to Arsenal. The head coach added that complaining has to be genuine and that things cannot be faked.
Iraola said the referee congratulated Liverpool after Wednesday's game and that he did not know whether he liked it. He admitted after the Arsenal match that a spot kick would have been given had Isak gone to ground. Jurriën Timber was not penalised for pulling back Alexander Isak inside the penalty area at Anfield.
Iraola said he does not want to talk too much about referees, adding that his team are quite an honest group and sometimes too honest. He said complaints have to be genuine because they think it is a penalty or a yellow card or whatever. He also said Liverpool are willing and want to press and be intense, but that the balance there is a big difference.
Figures from Opta revealed that 58% of fouls in Liverpool's games this season have been against the Reds, the highest ratio of any side in the top flight. Liverpool's 1.05xG in Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Arsenal would have been significantly boosted had they been awarded a clear penalty for the shirt pull on Isak.
The Reds have lost two games in a row for the first time under Iraola, having been beaten 3-2 by Fenerbahce in the UEFA Champions League in midweek. Liverpool will travel to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Written by NextGOAL · reviewed and approved by our team 23:19 · Spotted a mistake? Tell us