Andoni Iraola was quick to point out that Nottingham Forest's successful penalty in the 2-2 stalemate at Anfield on Saturday would likely never have happened if the fourth official's electronic substitution board had functioned properly. The incident unfolded in the 70th minute when Morgan Gibbs-White stepped up and calmly converted from the spot after Alisson collided with Neco Williams inside the box.
That penalty gave Forest a 2-1 lead for the second time in the match, but the circumstances surrounding the goal were clouded by a series of technical hiccups that frustrated both managers and players. The trouble began when Liverpool attempted to make a triple substitution. For more than two minutes the Reds were stuck in a limbo while the ball went out of play on three separate occasions.
During each pause, the fourth official, Tim Robinson, was seen crouched beside two electronic boards that are meant to display the numbers of the incoming and outgoing players. Both Ryan Gravenberch, who was waiting to enter the pitch, and Iraola could be seen gesturing angrily toward Robinson, clearly indicating their dissatisfaction with the delay. According to the Premier League’s official protocol, a club must first fill out a substitution card and then prepare a board showing the numbers of the players involved. Once the board is ready, it is handed to the fourth official, who raises it for the referee’s acknowledgment.
Only after the referee signals that the change can proceed are the players allowed to step onto the field. In this case, the board never seemed to display the required information, leaving the referee, Samuel Barrott, to repeatedly rule that Liverpool were not ready to make the changes each time play was set to resume.
Iraola summed up his frustration in the post‑match press conference, saying, “Definitely he was having some problems with the board or something.” He went on to ask a rhetorical question: “What would have happened if the board had been working? You would have stopped the play because I wanted to sub. It doesn’t happen, the quick throw‑in, because we are waiting for the subs.” His comments highlighted how the malfunction not only stalled Liverpool’s tactical adjustments but also indirectly contributed to the sequence that led to the penalty.
The build‑up to the spot‑kick was itself a product of the substitution drama. Liam Delap, who had just entered the match as a substitute himself, took a swift throw‑in that found Neco Williams sprinting into the Forest penalty area. Williams was then brought down by Alisson, prompting the referee to point to the spot. Gibbs‑White’s composure from the penalty spot gave Forest a 2-1 advantage, a lead that would have been unlikely if Liverpool’s subs had been able to enter the game earlier and potentially alter the flow of play.
Eventually, after the penalty was awarded and converted, Liverpool managed to introduce their three pending changes: Gravenberch, Rio Ngumoha and Kostas Tzimikas. The Reds then pressed forward and earned an equaliser in the 82nd minute through Victor Munoz, bringing the score back to 2-2.
Despite the late goal, Iraola’s record as Liverpool’s manager remained unchanged, as he still had not secured a win in his first two Premier League fixtures. The incident was captured in a series of video timestamps that illustrate the repeated interruptions.
At 65:23, Liam Delap came on for Dan Ndoye. By 65:43, Liverpool’s three prepared substitutes were already moving toward the touchline, ready to replace tired legs. At 66:23, the ball went out for a Forest throw‑in, prompting the referee to pause the game.
Gravenberch was seen gesturing toward the fourth official in obvious frustration, while Iraola approached the official with arms outstretched, demanding an explanation for the ongoing delay. Further moments show the board still inert. At 66:35 play resumed, but the technical issue persisted.
Commentators noted that Iraola altered his substitution plan on the fly, deciding to keep Jeremie Frimpong on the pitch while opting to replace Mac Allister instead. The ball went out again at 67:11 for another Forest throw‑in, and the fourth official remained hunched beside the malfunctioning boards, still unable to display the required numbers. The pattern repeated at 67:21 and 67:38, with additional Forest throw‑ins interrupting the flow. Delap’s quick distribution at 67:38 once more found Williams, who was again fouled by Alisson, leading to the decisive penalty at 67:46.
Gibbs‑White’s successful spot‑kick at 69:51 gave Forest a 2-1 lead, and Liverpool’s subs finally entered the field at 70:41. Iraola’s post‑match remarks encapsulated the confusion: “I can’t explain because I don’t have an explanation. I wanted to make those three subs three minutes before. There have been two, three, four times I think the ball has gone out and I still don’t know the reason why we haven’t made the subs.
Definitely he was having some problems with the board or something. What would have happened? Definitely you stop because I want to sub.
It doesn’t happen, the quick throw‑in because we are waiting for the subs. If I ask for the sub – and I’d already asked and I complained the previous time the ball went out and the supporters, I think they were shouting, everyone was aware of the situation. But I don’t know the reason why it happened. The penalty, I leave you to decide if it’s a penalty or not.” The episode raises broader questions about the reliability of electronic substitution boards in high‑stakes matches.
While technology is intended to streamline communication between teams, officials, and broadcasters, a malfunction can create confusion, disrupt tactical plans, and potentially affect the outcome of a game. In this instance, the delay allowed Forest to maintain possession, launch a quick throw‑in, and ultimately win the penalty that altered the scoreline.
For fans and analysts, the takeaway is clear: even the most sophisticated tools are only as good as their maintenance and operation on match day. As the Premier League continues to adopt new technologies, ensuring that every component functions flawlessly will be essential to preserving the integrity of the sport and preventing similar controversies in future fixtures.