- PGMOL have given an explanation to why Liverpool weren’t awarded a spot kick
- Martin Odegaard’s handball was not ruled as an offence by the referee and VAR
- ‘Five, six, seven years of rock and roll football’… have Liverpool fans been spoilt under Jurgen Klopp? It’s All Kicking Off
PGMOL have explained why Liverpool were not awarded a penalty after Martin Odegaard appeared to handle the ball inside the box.
The Reds missed the chance to move to the top of the Premier League table at Christmas, when they were held to a 1-1 draw by leaders Arsenal at Anfield.
However, Liverpool were adamant that should have been awarded a spot-kick midway through the first half after Odegaard’s handball.
The Norwegian slipped inside the Liverpool box and it look as though his arm fell onto the ball as he tried to turn, leading to some serious shouts for a penalty from the home side.
Those appeals were waved away by referee Chris Kavanagh and VAR official David Coote agreed with the on-field decision and failed to give the decision Liverpool’s way.
PGMOL have explained why Liverpool weren’t awarded a penalty in their 1-1 draw with Arsenal
Martin Odegaard’s arm is seen to touch the ball but a penalty wasn’t given by the ref or VAR
Following the game PGMOL gave an explanation to Sky Sports to why there was no penalty given, as they stated ‘Odegaard’s arm is moving towards the body and not the ball as he goes down.’
They confirmed that there was contact with Odegaard’s arm, but because it was used to balance himself and his arm was moving towards his body it wasn’t deemed as a handball offence.
Speaking in the studio at half time, former Gunners star Theo Walcott thought his old club got a bit lucky with the decision, but could see why it wasn’t awarded Liverpool’s way.
Walcott said: ‘You got sometimes look at players reactions as well I feel Odegaard looks concerned all the players around as well. I want it, I want it as a penalty, I would. I think he’s very lucky. I can understand why they’ve not given it.’
Walcott’s colleagues also thought Arsenal were fortunate, with Gary Neville feeling it was the slip that saved the Gunners’ skipper.
Neville stated: ‘I think he’s lucky but it might be that his foot gives way which means he puts his arm down to try and rebalance and that saves him. Because he slips, his hand goes back at the same time as a counter balance.’
Despite the decision going in his favour, Odegaard’s arm did make contact with the ball
Gabriel gave Arsenal an early lead before Mohamed Salah equalised as it ended all-square
Whereas Jamie Carragher had the opposite view and believed his old club should have been awarded a spot-kick.
‘I think that’s a penalty.’ Carragher claimed.
‘I think he’s fortunate Odegaard. There may be something in the slip, but I think tht’s a penalty.’
Gabriel gave Arsenal an early lead in the game, when his header opened the scoring inside three minutes.
However, after Liverpool were denied the chance to equalise from the spot, Mohamed Salah drew Jurgen Klopp’s side level on the half hour.
The result sees Arsenal top the Premier League table for the second Christmas in a row with Liverpool and Aston Villa a point behind the North London side.
