According to a report by the Evening Standard on Sunday, November 1, 2026, Liverpool were controversially denied a first-half penalty during their Premier League clash against Arsenal at Anfield after Jurrien Timber appeared to pull Alexander Isak's shirt inside the penalty area.

The incident occurred in the 21st minute, with Liverpool searching for an equaliser after falling behind to Kai Havertz's goal, which gave Arsenal a 1-0 advantage.

Isak attempted to connect with a teasing cross from a free-kick but was prevented from reaching the ball after Timber grabbed his shirt inside the box. Replays appeared to show that the Arsenal defender's intervention was enough to stop the Liverpool striker from making contact with the delivery.

However, the referee did not award a penalty, leaving Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola surprised by the decision. Sky Sports presenter Dave Jones subsequently confirmed at half-time that the incident had been reviewed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), but the decision to deny Liverpool a spot-kick remained unchanged.

The decision attracted criticism from several Sky Sports pundits, who questioned why the officials did not intervene despite the apparent shirt pull.

Former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge believed the VAR officials had made a mistake, arguing that Timber's challenge was an obvious offence and that Isak might have won a penalty if he had made more of the shirt pull.

Former Arsenal forward Ian Wright also acknowledged that his former club benefited from the decision, insisting that Isak should not have needed to exaggerate the incident to win a penalty.

Wright explained that the shirt pull was sufficient to prevent the Swedish striker from making contact with the cross and admitted that he was relieved Arsenal escaped punishment.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher was equally critical of the decision, arguing that Isak had been pulled back from close range and prevented from heading the ball.

Carragher questioned why the striker was expected to exaggerate the contact before the officials could recognise the offence. He also urged VAR officials to carry out their responsibilities properly.

Arsenal eventually held on to secure a 1-0 victory, with Havertz's goal proving decisive as the Gunners ended their 14-year wait for a Premier League win at Anfield.