Sky Sports refereeing analyst Dermot Gallagher has responded to Jurgen Klopp on Martin Odegaard's 'handball' flashpoint during Liverpool vs Arsenal.
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Klopp furious after a penalty was deniedWanted Gallagher's opinionAnalyst believes Klopp was rightWHAT HAPPENED?
Odegaard handled the ball inside the box which prevented Mohamed Salah from going past him during the 1-1 draw at Anfield on Saturday. Despite appeals from Liverpool players, referee Chris Kavanagh did not award a penalty, and a subsequent VAR review upheld the decision.
Klopp was incensed with the decision and questioned it post-match, stating that he expected an explanation for why it was not deemed a handball from Sky Sports analyst Gallagher. The PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) explained that since Odegaard's arm was not moving towards the ball, but to his body, he escaped punishment.
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However, former referee Gallagher agreed with Klopp that the Arsenal skipper should have been penalised for the handball.
"I do agree (that a penalty should have been awarded)," Gallagher said.
"When I first saw it, I thought he was slipping. I can understand the referee on the pitch not giving it. The VAR felt that, with the subjective nature of handball, he thinks he is slipping and his arm is coming in. If you see that last picture, it looks as though he moves towards the ball, and I think the more acceptable decision would have been a penalty. I could hear them speaking. I heard him say back to Chris Kavanagh that, 'he has slipped and his arm is coming in towards his body, and he is making himself smaller'."
GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Despite this controversy, Liverpool managed to secure a 1-1 draw against Arsenal, with Salah cancelling out Gabriel's fourth-minute opener. The penalty decision might have a massive impact on the dynamics of the title race. If the Reds had converted from the spot and went on to win the match then they would have led the standings, two points clear of Arsenal.
GettyWHAT NEXT?
As Premier League action continues amid the festive period, Liverpool will face Burnley on Boxing Day, while Arsenal are set to welcome West Ham two days later at the Emirates.
