Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola expressed frustration after a delay in making substitutions appeared to precede a decisive penalty awarded to Nottingham Forest during their Premier League match at Anfield on Saturday. The match ended in a 2-2 draw, marking Liverpool’s second consecutive draw after they came from behind twice to secure a point.

Nottingham Forest took the lead for the second time in the 70th minute through a penalty converted by Morgan Gibbs-White. The penalty was awarded after referee Sam Barrott judged that Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker fouled Neco Williams, who had burst forward following a quickly taken throw-in from Liam Delap. Iraola, who is still searching for his first win since taking charge at Liverpool, said he had been preparing to make substitutions in the moments before the penalty but was prevented from doing so due to what appeared to be technical difficulties with the fourth official’s substitution board.

“I don’t have an explanation. I wanted to make those subs about three minutes before,” Iraola said. “I think there were three or four times the ball has gone out and I still don’t know the reason why we haven’t made the subs. He was definitely having some problems with the board or something. It (play) definitely would have stopped because I wanted to sub, but it didn’t happen.” He added that even the supporters were aware of the delay and had voiced their frustration.

Regarding the penalty itself, Iraola declined to state whether he believed the decision was correct, leaving it open for interpretation.

Liverpool had initially fallen behind when Dan Ndoye scored in the first half before Alexander Isak leveled the score in the 60th minute. After Gibbs-White’s penalty, Victor Munoz, making his home debut following his move from Osasuna, scored an equalizer for Liverpool in the 82nd minute.

Iraola reflected on his team’s performance, acknowledging a subpar first half. “We haven’t been good enough, we haven’t controlled the game,” he said. “We improved a lot in the second half. We were much more intense, much quicker on the ball, had more sense of urgency, much better, but it hasn’t been good enough to win the game and we have to blame the first half. I am frustrated because we want to win, especially at home.”

Nottingham Forest manager Oliver Glasner, who also remains without a victory since his appointment, described mixed emotions after the draw. “Yes, it is two emotions I think. Everybody felt the same. We’re very proud of the performance, the way we played,” he said. The result leaves both managers still seeking their first wins with their respective clubs.