Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola expressed fury after a broken fourth official board delayed substitutions before Nottingham Forest won a penalty in a draw to start the Premier League season.
New signing Victor Munoz scored the equalising goal for Liverpool after Nottingham Forest had twice taken the lead through Dan Ndoye and a Morgan Gibbs-White penalty, with Alexander Isak also opening his account for the campaign.
Iraola was left aggrieved by the touchline error, arguing that the technical fumble cost his team a goal as they recorded another draw to start the domestic season.
Fourth official board malfunction
The Liverpool manager explained that he was unable to make a triple substitution for three minutes because the fourth official's electronic board failed to function properly.
"I will analyse the penalty, but this cannot be a professional fourth official," Iraola said. "It cannot take... I don't know, three minutes. We've already given the subs' numbers two or three minutes before."
Iraola added that his frustration had been building prior to the incident. "I was already angry because in the previous stoppage we couldn't make [the triple sub], and before the throw-in I said, 'OK we'll do it now'. But I don't know," he said. "They will have to explain it, but it has taken ages to not prepare two boards."
Liverpool had three substitutes standing ready to enter the fray, but the breakdown of the board delayed their introduction. Five seconds later, Iraola looked across to the technical area to see what was causing the hold-up.
Forest new boy Liam Delap showed quick thinking when the ball went out of play more than a minute later, taking a rapid throw-in before Liverpool were permitted to make their changes.
With Liverpool's three substitutes still waiting on the touchline, Forest launched an attack from the quick throw-in that resulted in a penalty being awarded. Gibbs-White scored from the spot to put Forest 2-1 ahead. Iraola later argued that making the triple change earlier might have helped his team defend the attack.
Daily Mail Sport has approached the Premier League for official comment regarding the incident involving the fourth official.
Iraola, the Spanish head coach who took charge at Liverpool following a successful managerial career in top-flight football, has established a reputation for tactical precision. Touchline delays of this nature are rare in Premier League fixtures, where electronic boards are standard equipment for displaying player numbers during substitutions.
Bradley Barcola transfer deal
In transfer news, Liverpool are set to complete the £123 million signing of winger Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain within the next 24 hours.
The French attacker is scheduled to fly into England from Paris on Sunday to undergo a medical before signing a five-year contract with the Merseyside club.
Barcola could wear the No 29 shirt at Liverpool, the same number he occupies at Paris Saint-Germain. The number choice was inspired by the fictional character Alex Hunter from the EA Sports FIFA video game series, who wore No 29 after rising from park pitches to top-level football.
The transfer makes Barcola Liverpool's third £100 million-plus signing as the club continues to bolster its squad options.
Iraola addressed the pending arrival of Barcola following the match. "I cannot tell you anything right now but it is true that there are things going on and that is normal," Iraola said. "We are in the last weeks of the market and now we have to wait to see the squad that we will have on September 2, and this is who we are."
Barcola developed through Lyon's youth academy before joining French champions Paris Saint-Germain, establishing himself as one of European football's most promising young forwards. The Premier League summer transfer window closes on September 2.
Nottingham Forest transfer plans
Nottingham Forest manager Oliver Glasner expressed delight after securing his first point in charge of the club, while confirming that further squad additions are being pursued.
Forest are on the verge of signing defender Daniel Munoz from Crystal Palace, reuniting Glasner with his former colleague. The East Midlands club is also targeting Everton midfielder Harrison Armstrong and has held discussions over a £40 million move for the 19-year-old.
When asked if transfer business would be limited to Munoz and Armstrong, Glasner indicated that more players could arrive before the deadline.
"Could be more," Glasner said. "I have no idea. I have just played outside. I am full of emotions, very confident that we find the right players and characters and today everyone involved in the game deserves us to be talking about him. They deserve all the credit."
Glasner added that he plans to celebrate once the transfer deadline officially passes. "I will sleep when [the window] is closed and on Wednesday evening I will have a pint and celebrate the transfer window," he said.
Glasner, an Austrian manager who previously led Eintracht Frankfurt to UEFA Europa League glory before managing Crystal Palace, was appointed to guide Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
