Andoni Iraola argued that Nottingham Forest's successful spot‑kick in the 2-2 stalemate at Anfield on Saturday would not have happened if the fourth official's electronic substitution board had functioned properly. The match reached a crucial moment in the 70th minute when Morgan Gibbs‑White stepped up and converted a penalty after Alisson fouled Neco Williams inside the box, giving Forest a 2-1 lead for the second time in the game. At that juncture Liverpool were attempting to execute a triple substitution, a process that stretched over two minutes.
During this interval the ball went out of play three separate times, each pause adding to the mounting frustration on the Liverpool bench. Both substitute Ryan Gravenberch and manager Iraola could be seen gesturing emphatically toward fourth official Tim Robinson, who was crouched beside two electronic boards that were meant to display the substitution details.
Official protocol dictates that when a club wishes to make a change, it must first fill out a substitution card, 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 and the crowd to see.
In this case, Iraola later claimed during the post‑match press conference that the fourth official was clearly struggling with the electronic system. "Definitely he was having some problems with the board or something," he said, indicating that the technical glitch was the primary cause of the delay.
The sequence of events leading to the penalty was also shaped by a rapid throw‑in from Liam Delap, who had just entered the field as a substitute himself. Delap's quick distribution found Williams sprinting into the Liverpool penalty area, only for the defender to be brought down by Alisson, prompting the referee to point to the spot.
The match report confirmed the final score as Liverpool 2, Nottingham Forest 2, with Victor Munoz netting an equaliser for Liverpool in the 82nd minute. Despite the late goal, Iraola's record as Liverpool manager remained winless after two Premier League outings. Throughout the incident, the ball repeatedly went out of play as Liverpool's three designated substitutes – Gravenberch, Rio Ngumoha and Kostas Tzimikas – waited on the touchline. Referee Samuel Barrott consistently allowed play to resume, judging that Liverpool were not yet prepared to make the changes.
Each time, the fourth official appeared to be wrestling with the electronic boards, leaving Iraola and his staff in a state of uncertainty. When asked what might have occurred if the board had functioned correctly, Iraola replied, "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." He emphasized that the delay disrupted Liverpool's rhythm and prevented a timely substitution that could have altered the flow of the game.
Eventually, after Gibbs‑White's penalty, Liverpool managed to bring on their three replacements. The substitution finally took place, but by then Forest had already taken the lead, and the momentum had shifted. The delayed changes also meant that Liverpool's tactical adjustments were postponed, forcing the team to adapt on the fly. The incident highlights the importance of reliable technology in modern football.
Electronic boards are intended to streamline the substitution process, providing clear visual cues for referees, players, and spectators. When these systems fail, the consequences can be significant, as seen in this match where a technical malfunction arguably contributed to a pivotal penalty. Iraola's frustration was evident not only in his body language but also in his remarks. He admitted that he had asked for the substitutions multiple times and even complained to the officials when the ball went out of play.
"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," he said. "Definitely he was having some problems with the board or something." The manager also raised questions about the legitimacy of the penalty itself, leaving the decision to the viewers: "The penalty, I leave you to decide if it's a penalty or not." This comment underscores the lingering uncertainty surrounding the incident, both in terms of the technical delay and the referee's judgment. In summary, the match was marked by a series of stoppages caused by an apparently malfunctioning electronic substitution board. The delay prevented Liverpool from making three planned changes in a timely manner, contributed to a disruption in play, and ultimately set the stage for Forest's decisive penalty.
Iraola's post‑match comments reflect a blend of bewilderment and disappointment, as he struggled to find a clear explanation for the repeated interruptions. The episode serves as a reminder that even the most advanced tools can falter, and when they do, the impact can be felt across the entire pitch, influencing tactics, player morale, and, ultimately, the final result.