Timber's shirt pull on Isak should have been a penalty, review claims
Arsenal left Anfield with a 1-0 win that ended Liverpool's 14 year unbeaten home run in the Premier League, but the officiating of referee Andrew Madley has come under heavy scrutiny, with one particular decision singled out as a clear error.
According to a referee review by football.london, Jurrien Timber should have conceded a penalty for a shirt pull on Alexander Isak as the Liverpool striker leapt to meet an in swinging cross from the left. Replays showed Timber grabbing Isak's shirt as he attempted to glance a header toward goal, with the review stating: “This is a very poor decision by the officials, and were the shoe on the other foot, Arsenal would have been desperate for a penalty kick and rightly so. What is so poor from a VAR perspective is just how blatant the pull from Timber is from all angle and it could be very fairly argued that the Swede could've made contact were it not for this impediment.” The verdict delivered was blunt: “Incorrect decision; penalty should have been awarded.”
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Nyoni let off twice inside the opening minute
The review also raised concerns over Liverpool teenager Trey Nyoni, who was involved in two heavy challenges inside the first minute, first on Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard and then on Kai Havertz, without being booked for either. The review suggested the first incident warranted more than a yellow card threshold but fell short of a sending off due to the lack of force involved, concluding that officials were reluctant to set an early disciplinary tone for the match. The verdict was “two yellow card challenges missed.”
Madueke and Mac Allister clash draws criticism
Tempers flared late on when Alexis Mac Allister appeared to clip the back of Odegaard's head before a coming together with Noni Madueke, who went down clutching his face after what the review described as a clash of foreheads. Jamie Carragher was quoted in the piece describing the incident as embarrassing, with the review agreeing that players attempting to get opponents sent off should be called out, while also noting Gabriel's reaction to being clipped by Isak earlier in the game fell into the same category. The review ultimately backed the officials, ruling “correct decision, no red card,” while suggesting simulation bookings should be considered in similar future incidents.
The win at Anfield was historic regardless of the officiating talking points, with Liverpool failing to register a single shot on target in a league home game for the first time since records began, and Havertz's goal proving the difference between the sides. Arsenal will hope the finer margins of decisions like the Timber shirt pull go their way more consistently as the season progresses, though this latest review suggests the Gunners benefited from at least one significant error at Anfield.
