Liverpool Lunchtime Round-Up, Monday 2nd November 2026: Arsenal Penalty Controversy Still Rumbling on
Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at Anfield is still the big talking point this lunchtime, with Kai Havertz's goal leaving Liverpool facing what national media are calling an 'insurmountable' gap to the leaders (Liverpool.com) (Liverpool Echo). Liverpool.com also round up the injury picture following the game, noting a couple of boosts for Andoni Iraola with more players expected back soon (Liverpool.com).
The main storm centres on the penalty incident involving Alexander Isak and Jurrien Timber, with Sky Sports' Ref Watch panel among those questioning why no spot-kick was given (Sky Sports). The Liverpool Echo report 'damning' VAR footage has fuelled the debate (Liverpool Echo), while Liverpool.com note comparisons being drawn with a similar Lisandro Martinez incident (Liverpool.com). This Is Anfield add that even some former Arsenal and Manchester United players have said Liverpool were hard done by (This Is Anfield), and have also dug out referee Andy Madley's curious record overseeing Liverpool matches (This Is Anfield). Dominik Szoboszlai has weighed in too, telling reporters his side aren't the 'type' to be seen as streetwise and echoing Iraola's stance on the matter (Liverpool Echo) (Liverpool.com).
Elsewhere, Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville were both critical of a Liverpool player's conduct during the Arsenal game, branding it 'embarrassing' (Liverpool.com), while a separate report says a former Liverpool star was left red-faced after wrongly targeting referee Michael Oliver over the controversy (Liverpool.com). On a lighter note, Carragher's earlier spat with Aston Villa has been put to bed, with the club choosing not to pursue legal action following his apology (Liverpool.com) (Liverpool Echo).
In team news, Trey Nyoni's first Premier League start earned praise from Daniel Sturridge, who said the youngster "earned it" (This Is Anfield), while Nyoni himself spoke about the 'fine margins' involved in such a tight game (LiverpoolFC.com). Despite the result, This Is Anfield suggest there are reasons for optimism, with the sense that "something is building" at Anfield (This Is Anfield), and Szoboszlai has set his sights firmly on the title (This Is Anfield). Less positively, Liverpool's performance saw them register 17 shots without a single one on target - an unwanted record stretching back 22 years (This Is Anfield).
Away from Anfield, James Milner impressed by completing the New York Marathon in a time of three hours, nine minutes and four seconds (Liverpool Echo), while in Spain, Trent Alexander-Arnold's display for Real Madrid drew mixed reviews from local media (Liverpool Echo).
This round-up is written with the help of AI, using only the day's headlines from the publishers credited above. Each point links to the original report — tap the source name to read it in full.
