Andoni Iraola has expressed his intention to instruct players to go down in future situations after Liverpool was denied a penalty in their recent match against Arsenal. This statement follows a controversial incident involving Alexander Isak during the game.

Andoni Iraola, the manager of a Premier League club, has stated that he will advise his players to go down in the box to ensure penalties are awarded after a contentious decision in Liverpool's recent defeat to Arsenal. The match saw Liverpool trailing 1-0 when a potential penalty was denied following a shirt pull on Alexander Isak by Jurrien Timber. Despite the clear tug on Isak's shirt, the referee, Andy Madley, chose not to award a penalty, leaving Iraola frustrated.

Speaking to the media, Iraola highlighted the incident, saying, "If he goes to the floor, they call the penalty 100%. It should be like this but it is what it is." He criticized the current refereeing standards, suggesting that players are often not rewarded for staying on their feet, which may lead to them reconsidering their approach in the future. He emphasized that the players must adapt to the situation, stating, "The answer is you have to dive, if you don’t dive they won’t call it."

Referee Decisions Under Scrutiny

The decision not to award a penalty has sparked debate among pundits and former players. Darren Cann, a former Premier League assistant referee, noted that the incident was on the edge of what could be considered a foul. He remarked that Timber took a significant risk by pulling Isak's shirt. Meanwhile, former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy suggested that Arsenal might have benefitted from the decision at a crucial moment in the match.

Iraola's comments reflect a growing concern among managers about the inconsistency of penalty decisions in the Premier League. He expressed disappointment over the need to coach players to go down rather than allowing them to play honestly. The ongoing conversation about player conduct and refereeing standards continues to be a hot topic in the league, as teams look for clarity and fairness in officiating decisions.