Andoni Iraola feels Liverpool ‘too honest’ so miss out with refereeing decisions

Liverpool's Alexander Isak and manager Andoni Iraola. Pic: Adam Davy/Press Association.

Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola believes his side have too often been on the wrong end of refereeing decisions this season.

The Spaniard says Alexander Isak’s decision not to go to ground when clearly pulled back by Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber in last Sunday’s 1-0 defeat by Arsenal at Anfield is one of many calls to have gone against his side.

According to Opta, Liverpool have been awarded fewer fouls (88) than all but two other Premier League clubs and have conceded the most (128), while they have the highest ratio of free-kicks in games (58 per cent) given against them.

When asked about the statistics before Sunday’s match at Crystal Palace, Iraola said: “I don’t want to talk too much about referees.

“I think we are quite an honest group. Sometimes too honest and even the other day after the game, I think the referee congratulated us.

“But I don’t know if I liked it a lot or not. But he said our behaviour has been very good overall from the players, from the staff.

“I think it has to be genuine, no? You cannot fake things. When we complain it has to be genuine complaints because I think it’s a penalty, it’s a yellow card, it’s whatever.

“I feel we are willing, obviously, we are a team that wants to press, wants to be intense, but I think the balance, there is a big difference, yes.” 

Liverpool had won five straight games in all competitions before last Sunday’s defeat by Arsenal was followed by Wednesday night’s 3-2 Champions League loss to Fenerbahce in Istanbul.

The Reds have lost only one of their last 11 league games at Selhurst Park and Iraola said: “Now we have to react. After two defeats, we we need the win against Palace away, and we’ve been, I think, in similar situations.

“Remember Bournemouth before international break, even the Brentford game. So we have to go there and do the job and win the game.” 

Liverpool are joint-ninth alongside Hull for goals scored in the top flight this season (11) and Iraola suggested his side was still not getting the best out of Isak.

The Sweden striker, who scored with his first touch after stepping off the bench in midweek, is second behind Erling Haaland in the individual scoring chart with six from eight appearances, but Iraola feels there is more to come.

He added: “Alex is a top goalscorer. If we can can put him more in the position to score, he will deliver.

“We know that is not a guarantee, but it’s the closest thing of a guarantee, almost.

“I think, like every player, he can add more things to his game. We want to use things that he has.

“He’s very good at attacking the spaces, attacking the channels, coming to receive the ball. I think he’s technically clean also, and we are trying to use him in the best way.”