Penalty Disallowed by VAR after Martin Odegaard handball during Liverpool vs Arsenal Match Explained
- 4 months ago
Plus, the former referees’ chief believes a mistake was made at Anfield with Var not intervening in the Odegaard incident.
Jurgen Klopp has spoken of his disbelief at Liverpool not being awarded a penalty for a blatant handball by Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard.
“Yes, I have seen it. I am pretty sure someone will come to explain why it was not a handball but I don’t know how?” said the Liverpool manager.
“I don’t say that the ref (Chris Kavanagh) can see it because I don’t know where he was in that moment. But how can a guy in an office (the Var David Coote) see that and not conclude that maybe it could be worth the referee having another look?”
The incident happened during the first half of Liverpool’s entertaining 1-1 draw with Arsenal – with Klopp’s side 1-0 down – as Odegaard tussled with Mohamed Salah for possession of the ball inside the Arsenal penalty area.
The midfielder appeared to move his left hand to control the ball as Salah attempted to flick it around him. But, despite Liverpool’s appeals, led by Salah and Curtis Jones the closest players to Odegaard, it did not even appear to be checked by the Var. It further highlights the inconsistencies between the use of video technology and the current interpretation of the handball rule.
If Liverpool had won they would have been top of the Premier League at Christmas. Instead, they are a point behind Arsenal who have retained the lead.
Jurgen Klopp has spoken of his disbelief at Liverpool not being awarded a penalty for a blatant handball by Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard.
“Yes, I have seen it. I am pretty sure someone will come to explain why it was not a handball but I don’t know how?” said the Liverpool manager.
“I don’t say that the ref (Chris Kavanagh) can see it because I don’t know where he was in that moment. But how can a guy in an office (the Var David Coote) see that and not conclude that maybe it could be worth the referee having another look?”
The incident happened during the first half of Liverpool’s entertaining 1-1 draw with Arsenal – with Klopp’s side 1-0 down – as Odegaard tussled with Mohamed Salah for possession of the ball inside the Arsenal penalty area.
The midfielder appeared to move his left hand to control the ball as Salah attempted to flick it around him. But, despite Liverpool’s appeals, led by Salah and Curtis Jones the closest players to Odegaard, it did not even appear to be checked by the Var. It further highlights the inconsistencies between the use of video technology and the current interpretation of the handball rule.
If Liverpool had won they would have been top of the Premier League at Christmas. Instead, they are a point behind Arsenal who have retained the lead.