Andoni Iraola was left furious over a technical mix-up moments before Liverpool conceded a penalty against Nottingham Forest, after his side were forced to wait several minutes to complete a planned triple substitution.
Liverpool were held to a 2-2 draw by Forest in Iraola’s first match in charge at Anfield, with his team having to come from behind twice against Oliver Glasner’s side to rescue a point.
Alexander Isak cancelled out Dan Ndoye’s opener on the hour mark, but the Reds went behind again 10 minutes later when Morgan Gibbs-White scored from the penalty spot.
Iraola was asked after the game about the penalty decision, which came after Alisson brought down Neco Williams, who had burst into the box following a quick throw from Liam Delap.
However, the Spaniard preferred to highlight what had happened on the touchline just before the penalty, with fourth official Tim Robinson taking a long time to prepare the substitutions board for a triple Liverpool change.
“I will analyse the penalty, but a professional fourth official cannot take three minutes [to make subs],” the Liverpool manager told TNT Sports. “We’ve already given the subs like two or three minutes before.
“I was already angry because in the previous stop [in play], we couldn’t make it. And before the throw-in [which Forest got the penalty from], I said, ‘Okay, we’ll do now’.
“I don’t know. They will have to explain it, but it has taken ages to prepare the subs.”
Speaking to BBC Sport, Iraola added: “He was having an issue with the board, I don't know if it was not working, but we definitely wanted to do the subs the last two or three stoppages before the goal. It wasn't just that reason [for the penalty] but everything helps.”
Liverpool were finally able to make the changes after Gibbs-White converted his penalty, with Kostas Tsimikas, Ryan Gravenberch and Rio Ngumha coming on for Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and Cody Gakpo.
The Reds eventually found an equaliser through new signing Victor Munoz, who smashed home in the 82nd minute to secure the draw.