Premier League panel rules Liverpool were denied Isak penalty against Arsenal

Liverpool should have received a penalty for Jurrien Timber’s shirt pull on Alexander Isak during their 1-0 defeat by Arsenal, the Premier League’s Key Match Incidents Panel has concluded. BBC Sport reported that a majority of the panel also judged the failure to intervene through the video review system to be an error, although its members were split on both decisions.

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The incident occurred in the 21st minute at Anfield on 1 November. Isak was attempting to meet a cross from Bradley Barcola but narrowly missed making contact with his head. Referee Andy Madley allowed play to continue, and video assistant referee Stuart Attwell reviewed the incident without recommending a penalty. Replays showed Timber pulling the Liverpool forward’s shirt as he tried to reach the delivery.

Four of the five panellists believed Madley should have awarded the spot-kick. The separate question of whether Attwell should have recommended an on-field review produced a narrower, 3-2 majority. According to the BBC’s account, the two members who opposed intervention pointed to the subjective assessment of the pull’s impact. The majority nevertheless considered the failure to intervene a clear and obvious error.

The panel was unanimous on the potential disciplinary consequence: it did not consider the incident worthy of a red card for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity. Arsenal were already ahead through Kai Havertz when the shirt pull occurred, and his goal ultimately settled the match. Isak remained upright throughout the incident rather than going to ground.

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola had criticised the decision after the match. Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, he argued that the hold had prevented Isak from reaching the ball in front of goal. Iraola also said he believed a penalty would have been awarded if the striker had fallen, questioning the incentive that created for attackers who tried to stay on their feet.

The same panel identified another missed penalty in Ipswich’s match against Hull City on 31 October. Nobel Mendy held Dara O’Shea during a corner, but referee Peter Bankes missed the offence and VAR Neil Davies did not intervene. That incident came with the score at 0-0. Ipswich went ahead soon afterwards, and the match ended in a 2-2 draw.