Furious Liverpool star loses cool and kicks fourth official’s substitution board after controversial penalty in 2-2 draw

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker was left furious after a controversial penalty decision helped Nottingham Forest take the lead at Anfield, and his frustration appeared to boil over after the final whistle as he was reportedly seen kicking the fourth official’s substitution board hard enough to leave a visible hole in it.The incident came during a dramatic 2-2 draw on Saturday, with Liverpool twice forced to fight back after falling behind. The penalty itself became one of the biggest talking points of the match, particularly because of the timing of the decision and the events immediately before it, while Alisson was booked for his furious reaction.How the penalty controversy unfoldedLiverpool and Nottingham Forest were level at 1-1 in the 70th minute when the incident unfolded. Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola had been preparing a triple substitution, but fourth official Tim Robinson was not yet ready with the electronic board.That delay gave Forest the opportunity to restart quickly with a throw-in, with the ball reaching former Liverpool player Neco Williams. Williams moved into the box and was brought down by Alisson, prompting referee Sam Barrott to immediately point to the penalty spot.Liverpool's players and bench erupted in protest, with Alisson particularly angry about the decision. The goalkeeper was shown a yellow card for his reaction, while VAR reviewed the incident but did not overturn Barrott's decision.Alisson did make contact with Williams, although reports noted that the contact appeared minimal, and the decision subsequently drew questions from supporters and observers on social media.Forest made Liverpool pay when Morgan Gibbs-White stepped up and converted the penalty, restoring the hosts' deficit and putting Nottingham Forest 2-1 ahead.Liverpool fight back againLiverpool once again found themselves needing a late response, and just as they had done in their opening league fixture against Newcastle United, the Reds found a way back into the game.Florian Wirtz produced the creative spark in the 82nd minute, threading a through-ball towards substitute Victor Munoz, who took his chance brilliantly and fired into the net to make it 2-2.Munoz has now made an immediate impression in both of his Premier League appearances for Liverpool since arriving from Osasuna for a reported €40 million. Against Newcastle, he came off the bench and won a ninth-minute-of-added-time penalty that Dominik Szoboszlai converted for a 2-2 equaliser, and against Forest he came on again before scoring the goal that rescued another point.Wirtz did have a goal ruled out during the match, with the referee's explanation of that decision later shown to Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk on the ref cam.The result means Iraola's Liverpool have now drawn their first two league matches of the campaign against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest, leaving them still searching for their first Premier League victory. Visuals circulating on social media also appeared to show Alisson kicking an fourth official’s substitution board after the final whistle, with the impact leaving a noticeable hole in it.Iraola pleased with Munoz's impactWhile the result left Liverpool frustrated, Munoz's contribution has given Iraola something positive to take from the opening two games.Speaking after the Forest draw, the Liverpool manager praised the winger's persistence and the defensive work he has contributed alongside his attacking threat."I think Victor has been very good (in) both games... Everything hasn't been perfect, but he's continued trying all the time. He's gone again and again and I like this a lot from the wingers. The other day he contributed with the penalty and today with the goal. I think he has been always a threat. And also, defensively he has helped us a lot, so I'm happy with him, yes."Munoz's back-to-back contributions off the bench could now put him in contention for a starting role as Liverpool look for a way to turn their promising late fight-backs into victories.Liverpool still looking to strengthenIraola is also hoping Liverpool can add another winger before the transfer window closes, with the club reportedly pursuing Ismaïla Sarr and Yankuba Minteh after bids for both players were rejected.The Reds are also close to completing the signing of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain, with the winger expected to undergo his medical on Sunday and potentially be available for the trip to Ipswich Town on Friday, September 4.Asked about Liverpool's search for another winger earlier this week, Iraola said:"We are trying to sign in that position. We cannot talk about players who are not ours."It is no secret that we are trying to improve to fill those positions because we don't have the numbers. I hope we can have good news but we are not there yet."I don’t know what’s going to happen. We have to patient. I will be comfortable on September 2. Right now, we don’t know. I have in my head what I want, we spoke since the beginning what we want. It’s a matter of closing the deal."Liverpool's immediate concern, however, is turning those draws into wins, with their next Premier League assignment coming away to newly promoted Ipswich Town on September 4.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.