Arsenal defender: 'It should have been a penalty for Liverpool'

Arsenal defender William Saliba admitted Liverpool deserved a penalty after Martin Odergaard's handball in the 1-1 draw in the 18th round of the Premier League on December 23.

In the 18th minute, when Arsenal were leading 1-0, Mohamed Salah pushed the ball away from Trent Alexander-Arnold's free kick. Odegaard rushed out to block, slipped and clearly pulled the ball away inside Arsenal's penalty area. Referee Chris Kavanagh did not call a penalty and let play continue. VAR referee David Coote also agreed with the on-field decision and did not intervene.

Asked if he thought it was a penalty for Liverpool, Saliba laughed and replied: "Of course, it was a penalty. But I'm not the referee. We have to accept the decision."

Odegaard (number 8, yellow) handled the ball in the penalty area in the first half of the match against Liverpool at Anfield on December 23. Screenshot — Odegaard (number 8, yellow) handled the ball in the penalty area in the first half of the match against Liverpool at Anfield on December 23. *Screenshot*

Sharing Saliba's view are former defenders Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville. On social network X, former Liverpool player Carragher wrote: "It was a penalty and the best player of the match knew it. Two clear penalties in two nights and VAR ignored them both."

According to the English Refereeing Council (PGMOL), Liverpool were not awarded a penalty because Odegaard's arm was moving towards his body, not towards the ball, when he fell. The English Referee Council believes that Odegaard's raising his arm to balance his body and his arm moving towards his body is not considered a handball.

Carragher rated Saliba as the best player of the match, as the Arsenal defender was the most reliable stopper for the visitors' defence in the match at Anfield. The French centre-back recovered the ball six times, made two tackles, won three aerial duels and was also voted the tournament's best player.

Saliba (left) disputes with Nunez in the 1-1 draw between Arsenal and Liverpool in round 18 of the Premier League.

In the match between the two top teams at Anfield, Arsenal opened the scoring early thanks to centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes. Liverpool equalised in the first half thanks to a moment of brilliance from Mohamed Salah. The two teams continued to trade blows in the second half, but failed to score any more goals and had to share the points.

The result was considered positive for Arsenal, although they failed to win at Liverpool for the 11th consecutive year. Arteta's team remained at the top of the Premier League table with 40 points. Liverpool and Aston Villa were right behind with 39 points.

Vy Anh

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