Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola questioned the professionalism of the fourth official after a controversial incident in the 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest. Victor Munoz's late strike earned a point for Liverpool in Saturday's early kick-off at Anfield after a chaotic game. Iraola was honest about his side's poor performance in the first half, but also raged at the officials, who he felt may have inadvertently benefited Forest.
Triple substitution delayed
The Liverpool boss had been trying to make a triple substitution in the build-up to Forest's second goal, which came via Morgan Gibbs-White from the penalty spot after Alisson fouled Neco Williams in the box. But fourth official Tim Robinson didn't have the substitution boards ready in time, meaning Forest were able to take a quick throw-in and catch Liverpool off guard.
Alisson dived in at Williams' feet, fouling the Forest wingback and Gibbs-White scored the spot-kick to make it 2-1. Iraola was seen shouting at Robinson while he attempted to get the numbers on the boards and the Spaniard hasn't cooled down in his post-match interview.
"I will analyse the penalty, yes, but a professional fourth official cannot take three minutes for the subs," Iraola told TNT Sports. "We gave the subs two or three minutes before. I was angry because in the previous stop we couldn’t make it. And before the throw-in I said 'let’s do it now', but I don’t know how to explain it but it has taken ages to prepare two boards."
Alisson's fury
Alisson was furious with the penalty decision and was booked for his protestations to referee Sam Barrott. The veteran goalkeeper was still seething at full-time, too, and was seen kicking one of the substitution boards, smashing a hole in it.
The draw was Liverpool's second in succession to start the 2026/27 campaign following the 2-2 draw against Newcastle last weekend. Dan Ndoye put Forest ahead after Liverpool failed to deal with a long ball. Alexander Isak equalised with a tap-in from Cody Gakpo's cross before the penalty put the away side ahead once more. Munoz then earned Liverpool a point in the 82nd minute with a powerful shot off the underside of the crossbar.
Two very different halves
"It’s not the result we want. I think two very different halves," Iraola said. "I think we were poor in the first half, even being poor, we were unlucky in terms of their goal. We were very poor in the first half. We were much better in the second half. The intensity was different - if you are going to lose, you have to lose like in the second half. A lot more intense, more threatening, happy with the second half, but it was late in the game."
