Both Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher expressed bewilderment on behalf of Liverpool after a penalty was not awarded against Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard for handball in the top-of-the-table clash on Saturday.
Just four minutes into the game the deadlock was broken when Gabriel Magalhaes headed in Odegaard’s free-kick in front of the Kop, stunning Anfield. But a controversial call added to the intensity of the high-stakes match between Jurgen Klopp and Mikel Arteta’s teams.
Midway through the first half, the provider of the opener, Martin Odegaard, almost presented Arsenal with a potential downfall as he seemed to handle the ball in the penalty area. Mohamed Salah’s flick-on directly struck Odegaard from close distance, with his hand positioned low above the turf. The incident raised contention regarding a possible handball, adding to the drama of the top-of-the-table clash between Liverpool and Arsenal.
Handball by Odegaard in their box.
Nothing given. pic.twitter.com/II8uscvjEa
— Viktor Fagerström (@ViktorFagerLFC) December 23, 2023
On-field referee Chris Kavanagh did not spot the potential handball by Martin Odegaard, allowing the visitors to counter-attack. VAR David Coote reviewed the incident but chose not to pull play back and award a penalty to Liverpool.
Gary Neville, commenting on the match for Sky Sports, even sided with Liverpool, calling Odegaard “lucky” for the decision not to award a penalty.
“I think that’s a penalty, he’s very fortunate there (Martin) Odegaard. There may be something in the slip but I think that’s a penalty.”
Arteta needs to buy left back because opponents always take advantage of Zhenchenko because he doesn’t know how to defend though he’s very good in attacking. If arsenal fails to buy at least 2players during January Market they will never win epl. They need striker and a midfielder. Arsenal doesn’t have bench that can win game for them.
These two aren’t pundits. Neville is a Man UTD player and fan. Gallagher is Liverpool by blood. So, how do you react when you slip and are falling down? Do you keep your arms akimbo? How as ball to the arm when it was hit? Aren’t you the same ‘pundits’ who said Matt Cash hañdball shouldn’t even be checked coz Nketia was close to him?
Did you even listen to yourselves saying Liverpool should show Arsenal what red means? You should be banned from punditry in Arsenal games. God shamed you both.
Coincidence then that he’s hand just happened to land on the ball and click it behind him, thank God that small was there to break his fall he might of really hurt himself.