Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola has questioned whether his team are "too honest" after being denied a penalty in last weekend's 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at Anfield. Arsenal defender Jurriën Timber escaped punishment for pulling back Alexander Isak inside the penalty area. Opta data reveals 58% of fouls in Liverpool's games this season have been against the Reds, the highest ratio in the top flight.
Asked about refereeing fairness, Iraola stated: "I think we are quite an honest group -- sometimes too honest." He added that referee praise for their behavior felt ambiguous, emphasizing that complaints must be genuine. Liverpool have lost two games in a row for the first time under Iraola, including a 3-2 UEFA Champions League defeat to Fenerbahce midweek. They travel to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Iraola noted the team must maintain perspective through the current run of form, acknowledging that ups and downs are normal. Striker Dirk Kuyt praised Fenerbahce's victory over his former club, calling it "another miracle in Istanbul." Bradley Barcola dismissed Liverpool pressure comparisons. Iraola stressed the squad works daily and is not as bad as recent results suggest, needing to correct set-piece defending while continuing to do good things.
Source: ESPN Soccer · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing