Andoni Iraola was visibly irritated after Nottingham Forest earned a penalty in the 2-2 stalemate at Anfield on Saturday, insisting that the incident would not have happened if the fourth official's electronic substitution board had functioned properly. The penalty, which gave Forest a 2-1 lead in the 70th minute, came after Morgan Gibbs-White calmly slotted home from the spot following a foul on Neco Williams by Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson. The controversy centres on a prolonged interruption that lasted more than two minutes while Liverpool attempted to make a triple substitution. During that interval the ball went out of play three separate times, each pause adding to the frustration of both teams and the spectators.
Both substitute Ryan Gravenberch and manager Iraola were seen gesturing angrily toward fourth official Tim Robinson, who was crouched beside two electronic boards that are meant to display the numbers of incoming and outgoing players. Official protocol dictates that when a club wishes to make a change, the coaching staff must fill out a substitution card, set up a board with the appropriate jersey numbers, and hand it to the fourth official, who then holds the board up for the referee and the crowd to see. Iraola, in his post‑match press conference, suggested that the board was malfunctioning: "Definitely he was having some problems with the board or something," he said, indicating that the technical glitch was the root cause of the delay.
The sequence of events leading up to the penalty highlights how the breakdown affected the flow of the game. Williams' run into the penalty area was sparked by a rapid throw‑in from Liam Delap, who himself had just entered the match as a substitute seconds before Liverpool prepared their triple change.
The quick delivery caught the Liverpool defence off‑guard and set the stage for the foul that resulted in the spot‑kick. Throughout the episode, referee Samuel Barrott repeatedly allowed play to restart, judging that Liverpool were not yet ready to execute their substitutions. Each time the ball went out for a throw‑in, the fourth official remained kneeling beside the electronic boards, apparently trying to resolve the technical issue. This repeated interruption not only disrupted Liverpool's rhythm but also gave Forest additional moments to regroup and launch attacks.
Iraola later asked the press, "What would have happened if the board had been working?" He answered his own question, explaining that Liverpool would have stopped play to make the changes, and the quick throw‑in that led to the penalty would not have occurred because the team would have been waiting for the substitutions to be confirmed. Eventually, after Gibbs‑White's penalty put Forest ahead 2-1, Liverpool managed to bring on their three substitutes—Gravenberch, Rio Ngumoha and Kostas Tzimikas—and later equalised in the 82nd minute through Victor Munoz.
Despite the late goal, Iraola's record as Liverpool manager remains winless after two Premier League matches. The incident underscores the importance of reliable technology in modern football. Electronic boards are designed to streamline the substitution process, ensuring transparency and speed.
When they fail, the consequences can be significant, as seen in this match where a technical glitch arguably altered the course of play and contributed to a crucial penalty. In the minutes following the penalty, the broadcast showed a detailed timeline: at 65:23, Forest's Liam Delap entered the field for Dan Ndoye; at 65:43, Liverpool's three substitutes moved to the touchline in preparation; at 66:23, the ball went out for a Forest throw‑in; shortly after, Gravenberch gestured toward the fourth official in evident frustration.
By 66:35, play resumed, but the delay persisted. Commentary noted that Iraola altered his substitution strategy, opting to keep Jeremie Frimpong on the pitch while deciding to replace Mac Allister instead. Further interruptions followed at 67:11, 67:21 and 67:38, each time with the ball out for a Forest throw‑in and the fourth official still attempting to get the electronic boards operational. At 67:46, the foul on Williams was called, leading to the penalty that Gibbs‑White converted.
Finally, at 70:41, Liverpool's substitutes finally entered the match. Iraola summed up his frustration in his interview: "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 serves as a reminder that even in a sport as traditional as football, modern technology must be reliable.
When electronic systems falter, they can disrupt tactical plans, affect player morale, and potentially change match outcomes. Liverpool and Forest will likely review the incident, and officials may consider additional safeguards to prevent similar disruptions in future games.