According to a report by Metro on Wednesday November 11, 2026, the Premier League has admitted that Liverpool were wrongly denied a penalty during their 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at Anfield on November 1, following a review by the independent Key Match Incident (KMI) Panel.

Kai Havertz scored the only goal of the encounter to hand Mikel Arteta's side an important victory, but the result was overshadowed by a controversial incident involving Liverpool striker Alexander Isak and Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber.

The incident occurred just minutes after Havertz had given Arsenal the lead. Liverpool launched an attack, with Bradley Barcola delivering a cross into the penalty area as Isak attempted to connect with the ball.

However, Timber appeared to pull the Liverpool forward's shirt as he prepared to challenge for the delivery.

Referee Andy Madley allowed play to continue without awarding a penalty, while VAR official Stuart Attwell subsequently reviewed the incident and decided against recommending an on-field review.

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola was unhappy with the decision after the match, describing the incident as a clear shirt grab.

The Reds boss also suggested that he might have to start encouraging his players to go down inside the penalty area to win penalties, following the failure of the officials to punish the challenge on Isak.

The Premier League's Key Match Incident Panel has now reviewed the incident and agreed with Liverpool's complaints, ruling that the visitors should have been awarded a spot-kick.

According to the assessment, four of the five panel members voted that the on-field referee should have awarded a penalty for Timber's challenge on Isak.

The panel was also divided over VAR's failure to intervene, with three of the five members believing that the incident constituted a clear and obvious error and that Attwell should have recommended a pitchside review.

Explaining its decision, the KMI Panel said there was a strong expectation for Premier League officials to recognise and punish sustained holding actions that have a clear impact on play.

The panel also stressed that referees must pay attention to non-footballing holding actions, particularly when a defender's actions prevent an opponent from competing fairly for the ball.

It explained that officials should consider whether a player is concentrating on holding an opponent rather than attempting to play the ball, whether both arms are being used and whether the holding is sustained or has a significant impact on the opponent or their clothing.

The panel concluded that Timber's challenge on Isak met the required threshold for a holding offence and should have resulted in a penalty, both through the on-field decision and VAR intervention.

The admission represents a significant development in the controversy surrounding Arsenal's victory at Anfield, although it will not change the result of the match.

Arsenal secured their first victory at Anfield since 2012, with Havertz's first-half effort proving enough to separate both teams.