Andoni Iraola reveals why referee congratulated Liverpool after loss in 'too honest' claim
Andoni Iraola has revealed why a referee congratulated the Reds after they lost, branding Liverpool “too honest” in their defeat against Arsenal last Premier League weekend.
Liverpool fell 1-0 to the Gunners at Anfield last weekend in controversial fashion, and Basque boss Iraola believes his Redmen are “too honest” to receive refereeing calls.
During that defeat, Alexander Isak was not awarded a spot kick after a pull-back from Jurrien Timber; ahead of the Reds’ match versus Crystal Palace this Sunday, Iraola has explained why Liverpool’s “very good behaviour” is seeing them suffer Premier League pitfalls.
“I think we are quite an honest group - sometimes, too honest” - Andoni Iraola on refereeing calls for Liverpool
According to data derived from Opta, Liverpool have been awarded just 88 fouls this term, fewer than all but two of their 19 Premier League peers.
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Additionally, the Reds have conceded the most fouls, 128, of all English top-flight sides, and have the highest ratio of free-kicks in games (58%) given against them.
Speaking in a pre-match presser about the Reds being on the wrong end of refereeing decisions this Premier League season, the Basque manager said: “I don’t want to talk too much about referees,” then branded his Liverpool team “too honest.”
“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.
“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,” continued Iraola.
“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.”
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Andoni Iraola clears up Alisson’s future after back-to-back Arsenal and Fenerbahce defeats
Ahead of his side’s trip to Selhurst Park, after back-to-back defeats in the Premier and Champions Leagues versus Arsenal and Fenerbahce respectively, Iraola discussed Alisson’s future on Merseyside.
The Brazilian shot-stopper was branded as at fault for the Gunners’ solitary, match-winning Anfield strike, after passing the ball directly to Arsenal from his box.
Alisson also failed to claim the cross that led to Kai Havertz’s goal; now, Iraola has confirmed that the 34-year-old’s future in Liverpool is unclear, but he hopes he stays past 2027.
“That is a question you have to ask [Alisson],” said the Basque boss, in response to being questioned if the Brazilian’s final season at Anfield will be 2026-27.
“I hope not. I hope he continues with us for more time.” Iraola then defended his shot-stopper’s match-losing blunder versus Arsenal, claiming “it is difficult to blame just one player.”
“Alisson is not the one more responsible for those goals,” said the Liverpool manager, adding that he himself instructs the team to build play from goal kicks.
As Reds fans await clearer news regarding Alisson’s future, Iraola claimed that conversations are ongoing between Julian Ward, himself and the player, but confessed “I cannot tell you everything.”
Liverpool return to Premier League action versus Crystal Palace, led by a severely under threat Pierre Sage, at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
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Topics: Premier League, Football News, Alisson Becker
Kedar Bayley
