Dominik Szoboszlai was in agreement with Andoni Iraola after Liverpool was denied a penalty against Arsenal despite Jurrien Timber pulling back Alexander Isak in the first half

Dominik Szoboszlai agreed with Andoni Iraola's verdict that Liverpool may need to go to ground in the future after Alexander Isak was denied what appeared to be a clear-cut penalty against Arsenal.

The Reds failed to register a shot on target in the entire game, even though they penned Mikel Arteta's team back for large spells. But Iraola and Szoboszlai both offered the same verdict on Jurrien Timber's pull back on Isak that occurred in the first half.

When Bradley Barcola crossed for Isak, Timber had a hold on the Swede's jersey. It was not determined to be enough contact for the VAR to intervene when on-field referee Andy Madley opted not to point to the penalty spot.

"It's a penalty — I don’t know what they expect from us: to dive or something," Szoboszlai told reporters at Anfield.

"I don't think we are the type of team or players to do that but from now on we might need to do it. If Alex falls down it’s a clear penalty. Timber doesn’t really care about the ball and maybe if he doesn’t pull Alex’s shirt Alex can head it in the goal.

"We are just one penalty less and that’s a big difference. If we go in the game 1-0 up, you know Anfield, you know our quality. I know they are a great team still, but it wouldn’t be easy for them to come back into the game."

Iraola admitted that he may need to tell his players to go down in the future, but Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher said that shouldn't be required, especially with so many camera angles and a chance to use the VAR.

"It is not our type of play," Szoboszlai continued. "I don’t think in this moment you can think this way that ‘Oh, let me wait for someone touching me and I’ll fall down’.

"No, he is focusing on the ball and he wants to head the ball in the net. But if you interfere with your hand on his back, then he might not do it.

"Then you take a chance from his point of view and it’s a penalty. Everyone sees it differently, but I don’t think you can see this one differently."

Szoboszlai, who replaced the impressive Trey Nyoni in the second half, was making his comeback from injury. He initially came back too soon and was forced off against Brentford.

Now, though, he is confident that he is fully ready to go again, and suggested he could have started the game with Arsenal. He is likely to be in contention against Fenerbahce in the Champions League midweek.

That will be the latest acid test for where Iraola's side is up to. Between defeats to Manchester City and Arsenal, the Reds won five games on the spin, including knocking Chelsea out of the Carabao Cup on penalties.

And Szoboszlai says that his role in the team — like everyone else's — is becoming clearer as Iraola's messages and ideas continue to be implemented in training and in games.

"It depends where he puts me," Szoboszlai explained when asked about his role. "In the six, he might ask me different stuff, and as a 10, he might ask me different stuff as an eight.

"I only know before the game what I’m going to play. We all know only before the game so from there is only one and half hours to discuss with him the stuff he wants to do in the game and how he wants you to play.

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"He wants to go most of the time one-vs-one, don’t let them play. We have big guys at the back so if the long ball comes we can win it with Ronald (Araujo), Jeremy (Jacquet) and Virgil (van Dijk). This fits us, we just have to get used to it.

"I played most as the eight, yes. But where (Iraola) wants me to play from now on, you have to ask him.

"It's hard to say (where I am best) because there are games where we have the ball more so I like to have the ball more as a six, getting the ball from Virgil and doing stuff from there. As a 10, I think I can also be dangerous, and as an eight. Wherever he puts me, I try to do my best.

"Now we are in November so it has been a couple of months since we started, so we are getting to know each other. Bradley (Barcola) coming in, he is also getting used to us, as he wasn’t here in the pre-season. I'm happy for everyone and we are just focusing on the next game."