Liverpool vs Arsenal penalty appeal: why VAR backed Andy Madley’s call

The Liverpool vs Arsenal penalty appeal at Anfield became one of the weekend’s major talking points after referee Andy Madley decided not to award a spot-kick for Jurriën Timber’s shirt pull on Alexander Isak. The incident came as Isak tried to reach a Bradley Barcola cross, with the on-field decision then backed by video assistant referee Stuart Attwell.

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola later argued that there had been a “clear, clear pull”, but the final decision remained no penalty. On review, the shirt pull by Timber on Isak was not considered enough to overturn Madley’s call.

What happened in the Isak and Timber incident?

The incident centred on Isak’s attempt to get his head to Barcola’s cross inside the Arsenal penalty area. As the Liverpool forward moved toward the ball, Timber pulled at his shirt.

Madley, who was the on-field referee, did not point to the spot. That meant the original decision was no penalty, leaving VAR to decide whether there was enough in the incident to recommend a review.

Attwell, working as the video assistant referee, backed Madley’s judgement. The decision therefore stood, and Liverpool were not awarded a penalty.

Why VAR upheld Andy Madley’s no-penalty decision

The key issue was whether Timber’s pull on Isak had a clear and decisive impact on the Liverpool player’s movement as he tried to reach the cross.

When viewed in slow motion or as a freeze-frame, shirt pulls can appear more significant because the contact is isolated. In this case, the incident drew attention because Timber did tug Isak’s shirt.

At full speed, however, the contact appeared minimal and not sustained. The effect on Isak’s movement was also described as arguable, which helps explain why VAR did not intervene against Madley’s original decision.

On that basis, the shirt pull was not treated as a penalty offence. The decision was not that there was no contact, but that the level and impact of the contact did not justify a spot-kick after review.

Iraola reaction after the match

After the match, Iraola made clear that he felt Liverpool had a strong case. Speaking about the contact on Isak, he said there had been a:

“clear, clear pull”

His reaction reflected the frustration around the incident, especially because Liverpool’s appeal came from an attacking situation in the Arsenal box. But the referee’s original judgement carried through the VAR process.

Another Anfield VAR flashpoint

The match also featured discussion around Madueke’s clash with Mac Allister. That incident was assessed as clearly not violent conduct.

Like the penalty appeal involving Isak and Timber, it added to the wider debate around major VAR calls at Anfield. The central decision, though, remained the penalty incident: Madley gave no penalty, Attwell backed the call, and the review concluded that Timber’s shirt pull on Isak was not enough for a spot-kick.