‘Next time you have to go to the floor, otherwise they won’t call it’: Iraola after Liverpool denied penalty against Arsenal

Liverpool's Spanish head coach Andoni Iraola gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League match against Arsenal. | Photo Credit: AFP

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola says he will tell Alexander Isak to start diving to the ground in an effort to earn penalties after the Sweden striker failed to go down when clearly having his jersey pulled in the 1-0 loss to Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday.

Isak was prevented from reaching a cross into the penalty area in the 21st minute of the match at Anfield because Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber had a hold of the Liverpool player’s shirt.

Instead of falling to the ground, Isak simply laughed toward Timber and didn’t even bother appealing for a penalty.

“That’s the problem we have with the game — because he doesn’t dive and go to the floor,” Iraola said in a post-match interview on Sky Sports. “If he goes to the floor, they call the penalty, 100%. Should it be like this? No. But it is what it is.

“Now the manager should tell Alex, ‘Next time you have to go to the floor, otherwise they won’t call it.’”

Asked if he will tell Isak to do that, Iraola said: “Yes, definitely.”

Published on Nov 02, 2026

Latest on Sportstar

1. Live Blog 2026-11-02T08:55:14+05:30

   Ranji Trophy Live Score, Round 4: Mumbai takes on Railways; Vidarbha faces Madhya Pradesh; KAR bowls vs Assam
2. ‘Next time you have to go to the floor, otherwise they won’t call it’: Iraola after Liverpool denied penalty against Arsenal

3. Live Blog 2026-11-02T03:12:12+05:30

   India A vs New Zealand A LIVE Score, 2nd unofficial Test Day 3: NZ A crosses the 400-run mark; Mukesh picks five