Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola said he was furious that a planned triple substitution was delayed during Saturday’s 2-2 Premier League draw with Nottingham Forest.
At 1-1 in the second half at Anfield, the Basque coach tried to introduce Ryan Gravenberch, Kostas Tsimikas and Rio Ngumoha.
But even with three stoppages, the trio were left waiting on the touchline as fourth official Tim Robinson struggled with the substitution board.
To make matters worse for Liverpool, on the third break in play Forest took a quick throw instead of allowing the changes, and from that move they earned a penalty to move back in front.
Forest wing-back Neco Williams sprinted in behind the Liverpool defence and was clipped by goalkeeper Alisson as he lifted a shot toward goal.
As the effort drifted wide, referee Samuel Barrott blew his whistle and pointed to the spot.
“For the penalty, the play is essentially over when the contact happens. And it’s not a forceful challenge,” Iraola told BBC Match of the Day.
“But more than that, we complained about the subs. We had to wait around three minutes.
“He was having an issue with the board — I don’t know if it wasn’t working — but we definitely wanted to make the subs at the last two or three stoppages before the goal.
“It wasn’t the only reason, but everything plays a part.”
Speaking to TNT Sports, he added: “A professional fourth official cannot take three minutes. We’d already given him the subs a couple of minutes before.
“I was already angry because at the previous stoppage we couldn’t make the changes, and then before the throw-in I thought we could do it.
“I don’t know — they’ll have to explain it. But it took ages.”