Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola said he was angry after being prevented from making a triple substitution earlier during Saturday’s 2-2 Premier League draw with Nottingham Forest at Anfield.
Liverpool substitutions delayed during Forest draw
With the score level at 1-1 in the second half, Iraola wanted to introduce Ryan Gravenberch, Kostas Tsimikas and Rio Ngumoha.
However, the substitutes were left waiting on the touchline despite the ball going out of play three times, as fourth official Tim Robinson experienced problems with the electronic board.
Liverpool’s frustration increased when Forest took a quick throw-in after the third stoppage instead of waiting for the substitutions. Nottingham Forest won a penalty from the resulting attack and regained the lead.
Forest wing-back Neco Williams ran in behind the Liverpool defence and was challenged by goalkeeper Alisson as he attempted to lift a shot towards goal.
The ball drifted wide, but referee Samuel Barrott blew his whistle and awarded Forest a penalty.
“With the penalty, the situation has already finished when the contact appears. And it’s not an aggressive contact,” Iraola told BBC Match of the Day.
“But more than this we complained about the subs. We had to wait about three minutes.”
“He was having an issue with the board, I don’t know if it was not working, but we definitely wanted to do the subs the last two or three stoppages before the goal.”
“It wasn’t just that reason but everything helps.”
Speaking to TNT Sports, Iraola added: “A professional fourth official cannot take three minutes. We’d already given him the subs two or three minutes before.”
“I was already angry because in the previous stoppage we couldn’t make the subs and then before throw-in I thought we could do it.”
“I don’t know, they will have to explain it. But it has taken ages.”
