Andoni Iraola argued that Nottingham Forest’s spot‑kick, which gave them a 2-2 draw at Anfield on Saturday, would never have happened if the fourth official’s electronic substitution board had functioned properly. The penalty came in the 70th minute when Morgan Gibbs‑White stepped up after Neco Williams was brought down by Alisson. By that stage Liverpool had been attempting to execute a triple substitution for more than two minutes, a period during which the ball went out of play three separate times.
Both Liverpool’s new signing Ryan Gravenberch and Forest manager Iraola were seen gesturing angrily toward fourth official Tim Robinson, who was crouched beside two electronic boards that should have displayed the substitution details. According to the official protocol, when a team wants to make a change the club must fill out a substitution card, prepare a board showing the numbers of the players involved, and hand it to the fourth official, who then holds it up for everyone to see. Iraola complained after the match that the board appeared to be malfunctioning.
"He was definitely having some problem with the board or something," Iraola said in the post‑match press conference. The crucial moment that led to the penalty began with a swift throw‑in from Liam Delap, who himself had just entered the field as a substitute. Delap’s quick delivery found Williams racing into the box, where Alisson’s challenge resulted in the foul and the subsequent spot‑kick.
The sequence of events was unusual. It marked the third occasion that play was stopped because Liverpool’s would‑be substitutes had already moved to the touchline, awaiting the signal to come on.
Each time referee Samuel Barrott allowed the game to resume, judging that Liverpool were not yet ready to make the changes. Iraola questioned the officials, asking, "What would have happened if the board had been working?" He explained that the delay forced Liverpool to pause their attack, missing the chance for a rapid throw‑in that could have created a scoring opportunity. Eventually, after Gibbs‑White converted the penalty to put Forest ahead 2‑1, Liverpool managed to bring on their three intended replacements – Gravenberch, Rio Ngumoha and Kostas Tzimikas – and later equalised in the 82nd minute through Victor Munoz. Despite the late goal, Iraola’s record as Forest’s manager remained winless after two Premier League fixtures.
The incident sparked a flurry of commentary on the importance of reliable technology in modern football. The electronic boards are meant to streamline the substitution process, reducing confusion and ensuring that the correct players are identified quickly.
When they fail, it can lead to unnecessary interruptions, as seen in this match, where the ball went out of play multiple times while officials tried to resolve the technical glitch. Video analysis highlighted several key moments: at 65:23, Liam Delap entered the field for Dan Ndoye; at 65:43, Liverpool’s three substitutes moved to the touchline; at 66:23, a Forest throw‑in halted play; and at 66:35, the game resumed after another brief pause. Throughout the episode, Gravenberch was seen gesturing toward the fourth official in frustration, while Iraola repeatedly stretched his arms wide, demanding an explanation for the ongoing delay. Commentators noted that Iraola even altered his substitution strategy mid‑game, opting to keep Jeremie Frimpong on the pitch while deciding to replace Mac Allister instead.
This tactical shift added another layer of complexity to an already chaotic situation caused by the malfunctioning board. The timeline continued with a series of Forest throw‑ins at 67:11, 67:21, and 67:38, each time the fourth official remained hunched beside the unresponsive boards. Finally, at 67:46, the penalty was awarded after Williams was fouled, and at 69:51 Gibbs‑White calmly slotted the spot‑kick. When the substitutions finally took place at 70:41, Iraola reiterated his bewilderment: "I can’t explain it because I don’t have an explanation.
I wanted to make those three subs three minutes before. The ball went out two, three, four times and I still don’t know why we couldn’t make the changes.
Definitely he was having some problems with the board or something." He added that the delay had a direct impact on the flow of the game, preventing Liverpool from capitalising on a quick throw‑in. "If I ask for the sub – and I’d already asked and complained the previous time the ball went out – the supporters were shouting, everyone was aware of the situation.
But I don’t know the reason why it happened," he said. Iraola concluded by leaving the decision about the penalty’s legitimacy to the viewers, stating, "The penalty, I leave you to decide if it’s a penalty or not." The episode underscores how even minor technical failures can have a ripple effect on match outcomes, influencing tactics, player morale, and ultimately the final score. It also highlights the need for robust contingency plans when digital tools falter, ensuring that the game can proceed smoothly without unnecessary interruptions.