There was plenty of frustration after Liverpool couldn't find a way past Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday

For all the early promise of Andoni Iraola’s tenure on Merseyside, Sunday’s clash with Arsenal offered a sobering reminder of the distance Liverpool still have to travel.

A solitary Kai Havertz strike inside the opening exchanges proved enough to seal a 1–0 win for the champions, condemning the 43-year-old to his second home defeat of the season. While the Reds matched Mikel Arteta’s title-holders for much of the game, the performance was ultimately hollow.

For all their approach play, the hosts finished the afternoon without testing David Raya once. It laid bare a creative drought that continues to handicap Iraola’s side. Alongside mounting questions over a baffling in-game substitution, tunnel footage from the interval has sparked further backlash among supporters.

Tunnel footage angers fans

As if the final scoreline at Anfield wasn't enough to leave Liverpool supporters seething, footage from the tunnel at half-time only served to inflame tensions further amongst the home faithful. A clip emerged showing Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes in conversation with referee Andy Madley just moments before the second half kicked off.

The duo were spotted deep in conversation in the tunnel before the Brazilian defender was seen giving the official a fist bump ahead of returning to the pitch. Furious supporters took to X to voice their frustration at the footage, with one user writing: "This referee clearly had a favourite."

Make sure you never miss the latest Liverpool FC news and opinion by making Liverpool Echo one of your Google preferred sources.

Fan anger was further fuelled by two controversial decisions that could have seen Liverpool awarded a pair of penalties. Alexander Isak was denied a spot kick after being hauled back by Jurrien Timber while attempting to connect with Bradley Barcola's cross.

The incident was reviewed and cleared by VAR, while Cody Gakpo's penalty appeal was also dismissed, with Gabriel instead apparently receiving nothing more than a warning from Madley.

Iraola leaves icon frustrated

The Spaniard raised eyebrows with his team selection against the Gunners by opting for Trey Nyoni, 19, to make his maiden Premier League start for the club. The youngster enjoyed a promising outing at Anfield before being withdrawn in the 59th minute for the returning Dominik Szoboszlai.

Nyoni had been instrumental in Liverpool's ability to compete throughout the match, and his influence became strikingly apparent when the Reds began to lose their grip in midfield. His withdrawal was widely criticised as a poor call, including by club legend Steve Nicol, who argued that Liverpool's authority on the ball diminished the moment Nyoni departed the pitch.

The former Liverpool defender told ESPN FC: "The one thing that frustrates me more than anything else is the substitution that Iraola made after 60 minutes. Other than the little spell in the first half just before and just after Arsenal's goal, Liverpool were dominating the game.

"Mac Allister and Nyoni had locked the midfield up and Arsenal were under pressure. It was the same at the start of the second half, and when he made the substitution and brought Nyoni off and Szoboszlai on, I'm asking myself why is he not taking Wirtz off and leaving Mac Allister and Nyoni to dominate the way they have been. From that point on, this game changed."