Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo has admitted that his side were frustrated by the penalty decisions that went against them during their 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at Anfield. However, the Dutch international stressed that the players must respect the referee’s judgement and concentrate on moving forward.

Gakpo discussed the controversial incidents during a pre-match press conference ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League meeting with Fenerbahçe. Asked about the decisions from Sunday’s Premier League encounter, the forward acknowledged that Liverpool believed they had legitimate reasons to be awarded a spot kick.

The 27-year-old admitted that the outcome was disappointing, particularly because the incidents appeared to offer Liverpool opportunities to win penalties. Nevertheless, he recognised that the match officials were responsible for making the final decisions and that the team had to accept their verdict.

“Yeah, it can be frustrating at times. But in the end, I think it's a referee's decision,” Gakpo said.

The forward also referred to Liverpool’s approach to playing the game, suggesting that their reluctance to go down easily might sometimes influence how referees interpret incidents inside the penalty area. His comments followed remarks from the club’s manager, who had previously suggested that the players could be more willing to make the most of situations when challenges occur.

Gakpo indicated that Liverpool generally try to approach matches fairly, although he acknowledged that this attitude might not always benefit them when decisions are being considered.

“I think we, as a team, play pretty fair, and maybe we should dive maybe some more, like the gaffer said,” he stated.

Despite expressing his disappointment, the Netherlands international was careful not to suggest that Liverpool could change the referee’s mind after the match. He accepted that the officials had considered the incidents and chosen not to award penalties or free kicks.

“I think in both occasions, you could have given a penalty, you could have given a foul, but they decided not to, and then, yeah, we have to live with that decision,” Gakpo added.

His remarks reflected Liverpool’s frustration following a narrow defeat that further complicated their efforts to maintain momentum in the Premier League. Arsenal secured all three points with a 1-0 victory, leaving the home side disappointed after a match in which they felt certain decisions could have gone differently.

The result also increased the importance of Liverpool responding positively in their upcoming European assignment against Fenerbahçe. With the Champions League fixture approaching, the team must put the disappointment behind them and focus on delivering a stronger performance.

Gakpo’s comments suggest that, although Liverpool remain unhappy with the officiating, the players understand that continuing to debate the decisions will not change the result. Their immediate priority is to improve their performances, regain consistency and respond positively after the setback against Arsenal.

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