Liverpool's Boss Says He'll Tell His Players To DIVE After Arsenal's Anfield Win — Was It A Penalty?

Arsenal just ended a 14-year Anfield curse, and the biggest talking point isn't the goal. It's a shirt tug, a striker who stayed on his feet, and a manager who has basically told the league: fine, we'll dive then.

The Moment Everyone Is Arguing About

Arsenal beat Liverpool 1-0 on Sunday thanks to Kai Havertz's first-half goal, according to BBC Sport. It's their first Premier League win at Anfield since 2012.

But with Arsenal ahead, Alexander Isak went up for a header from Bradley Barcola's cross and had his shirt pulled by Jurrien Timber. BBC Sport reports that Isak stayed on his feet, referee Andy Madley waved play on, and VAR Stuart Attwell decided there wasn't enough in it to overturn the call.

Isak did turn and have a word with Timber. He just didn't appeal to the referee.

Iraola Is NOT Letting This Go

Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola was blunt. "If he goes to the floor, they call the penalty 100%," he told Match of the Day, per BBC Sport.

He then went further, saying: "The answer is you have to dive, if you don't dive they won't call it." Asked whether he'd actually tell Isak to go down next time, he said: "Yes, definitely."

He also called Isak "honest" and said everyone could see the pull live. He added that an apology from Pro Ref, the Premier League's refereeing body, wouldn't change anything.

The Pundits Are Split

Danny Murphy said Arsenal "got lucky" and that Isak might have won it if he'd made more of it, while admitting he hates seeing players exaggerate.

Gary Neville called Isak's non-reaction "very odd" for a striker about to score.

Virgil van Dijk had a good line: "We have 50 cameras. Why does he have to complain when there are so many cameras."

Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann offered the neutral view. Timber "takes a huge risk," he said, and it "could easily have been given on another day". But Cann also noted it has to be sustained holding, and that it's "interesting that Isak didn't even appeal."

Liverpool also had a Cody Gakpo appeal waved away after contact from Christos Tzolis.

Meanwhile, Arsenal Are Just Vibing

Lost in the penalty chaos: this was a statement win. Four days earlier, Arsenal were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by League Two Fleetwood Town. Mikel Arteta, who was captain the last time Arsenal won at Anfield, said before the game: "Today has to be the day."

Per Sky Sports, Liverpool didn't land a single shot on target, the first time on record that's happened to them at home. Jamie Carragher even floated putting this back four in the conversation with the famous Tony Adams-era defence.

Arsenal are now three points clear at the top after nine games, with 24 points.

The Tea ☕

• Arsenal won at Anfield for the first time since 2012, 1-0 via Havertz.
• Iraola says a Timber shirt pull on Isak should've been a penalty and that he'll tell his players to go down in future.
• Pundits are split on whether Isak should have made more of it.

So, honest question: was it a penalty, or did Isak do the right thing by staying up? And is Iraola making a fair point about diving, or just salty? Sound off below.

Sources: BBC Sport: "I'll tell my players to dive in future - Iraola", BBC Sport: "From Fleetwood embarrassment to 'magical' Anfield win 14 years in making", Sky Sports: "Arsenal's 'defensive masterclass' praised in Liverpool win"