Liverpool Denied Clear Penalty in Arsenal Defeat
Liverpool were denied a penalty they should have had in their 1-0 defeat by Arsenal at Anfield, according to the Premier League’s Key Match Incidents Panel – and VAR is in the dock again.
Panel says Liverpool spot-kick was missed
The flashpoint came in the 21st minute. Bradley Barcola whipped in a cross, Alexander Isak darted across the near post and stretched for the header. He missed it by inches.
The replays later showed why.
Jurrien Timber had a fistful of Isak’s shirt, clearly pulling him back as the Liverpool forward attacked the ball. Referee Andy Madley waved play on, VAR Stuart Attwell checked it and allowed the game to continue.
Days later, the league’s own review body delivered a damning verdict.
The KMI Panel voted 4–1 that a penalty should have been awarded on the field. On the question of VAR intervention, the vote was closer – 3–2 in favour of Attwell sending Madley to the pitchside monitor. The majority described the non-intervention as a “clear and obvious error” by the VAR team.
At the time of the incident, Arsenal were already 1-0 up through Kai Havertz. That goal would decide the game. The panel also ruled unanimously that Timber’s foul did not meet the threshold for a red card for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity.
One detail weighed heavily on the incident: Isak stayed on his feet.
Iraola’s frustration: “The answer is you have to dive”
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola did not hide his anger when he spoke to BBC Match of the Day after the final whistle.
“There is a clear grab of the shirt,” he said. “Alex was just in front of him. He was going to head in front of the goal, but couldn't because he grabbed the shirt.
“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.
“The answer is you have to dive. If you don't dive they won't call it.”
Those words cut to the heart of a long-running argument in English football: do honest players get punished for trying to stay upright? The panel’s ruling will only intensify that debate inside dressing rooms and on training pitches.
Second VAR error flagged in Ipswich draw
The Isak incident was not the only mistake flagged by the KMI Panel this week.
On 31 October, Ipswich were also denied a penalty they should have had in their 2-2 draw with Hull City, the panel found. With the game goalless at a corner, Nobel Mendy held back Dara O’Shea in the box. Referee Peter Bankes missed the foul, VAR Neil Davies stayed silent.
Ipswich went on to take the lead shortly afterwards, but Hull fought back and the match finished level. The panel ruled that VAR should have stepped in and a spot-kick should have been awarded.
Two games, two penalties missed, and both signed off on the night by VAR. The technology remains, but the question lingers: how many more of these will shape a season before something finally changes?
