Dominik Szoboszlai has admitted Liverpool players may have to start diving to win penalties following the controversy in Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Arsenal.
The Reds midfielder was left frustrated after Alexander Isak was denied a penalty appeal despite having his shirt pulled by Gunners defender Jurrien Timber. Isak stayed on his feet, referee Andy Madley waved play on, and VAR decided the contact was not significant enough to award a spot kick.
Szoboszlai's Frustration
Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola had earlier suggested his players may need to go down more easily when they feel contact, and Szoboszlai went further by admitting the decision could force the team to change their approach.
Szoboszlai said: "It's a penalty. I don't know what they expect from us: to dive or something. I don't think we are the type of team or players to do that but from now on we might need to do it."
He added: "If Alex falls down it's a clear penalty. Timber doesn't really care about the ball and maybe if he doesn't pull Alex's shirt Alex can head it in the goal."
Reluctance to Change Style
The Hungarian made clear he does not approve of diving or the notion that Liverpool should become more "streetwise", but his frustration was evident.
"It is not our type of play. I don't think in this moment you can think this way that 'Oh, let me wait for someone touching me and I'll fall down'. No, he is focusing on the ball and he wants to head the ball in the net," he said.
"But if you interfere with your hand on his back then he might not do it, then you take a chance from his point of view and it's a penalty. Everyone sees it differently but I don't think you can see this one different."
Impact on the Game
Szoboszlai, who came on as a second-half substitute, said it is a waste of time to complain to officials but believes the decision changed the course of the match.
When asked if he spoke to the referee, Szoboszlai said: "No, because I wasn't on the field. If you go to him you get a yellow card."
He added: "It's exactly how the game looked like, felt like. We have to take the positive side out of it and keep on moving. We are just one penalty less and that's a big difference. If we go in the game 1-0 up you know Anfield, you know our quality. I know they are a great team still, it wouldn't be easy for them to come back into the game."
