Liverpool should have had penalty for shirt-pull on Isak

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Updated / Wednesday, 11 Nov 2026 10:51 Getty Alexander Isak's shirt was tugged by Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber Liverpool should have been awarded a penalty for the shirt-tug on Alexander Isak in their Premier League match against Arsenal earlier this month, an expert panel has said. Madley's decision was deemed incorrect by four of the panellists, who felt Timber's challenge met the threshold for a holding offence, while three felt Attwell should have intervened because it was a clear and obvious error.

His Reds boss Andoni Iraola was asked after the match whether Isak should have gone down after the challenge, and replied: "It's a shame you ask me this question, but honestly, yes, we have to tell them, go down, because they're not going to call it otherwise. If you don't dive they are not going to call it." Former Liverpool player Carragher was critical of the officials, and told Sky Sports: "One of the best goalscorers in the league is pulled back seven yards out and it stops him heading the ball - why does he need to make a meal of it?

VAR, do your job." Former Arsenal striker Wright agreed, adding: "He shouldn't have to make more of it. If they gave that penalty, I wouldn't sit here and say 'I can't believe they gave that'." There is a strong mandate for Premier League officials and VAR to recognise and penalise holding actions that are sustained and have a clear material impact on play, as well as an increased emphasis on non-footballing holding actions that have no place on the football pitch.