Just four minutes into the game, the equilibrium was disrupted when Gabriel Magalhaes executed a header from Odegaard’s free-kick in front of the Kop, sending shockwaves through Anfield. However, an element of controversy heightened the intensity of the high-stakes encounter between Jurgen Klopp and Mikel Arteta’s teams.
In the middle of the first half, Martin Odegaard, the orchestrator of the opening goal, found himself at the center of potential downfall as he appeared to handle the ball in the penalty area. A flick-on from Mohamed Salah directly struck Odegaard at close range, his hand positioned just above the turf. The incident triggered debate about a potential handball, contributing to the unfolding drama in the top-of-the-table clash between Liverpool and Arsenal.
On-field referee Chris Kavanagh failed to spot the potential handball by Martin Odegaard, allowing the visitors to initiate a counter-attack. VAR David Coote reviewed the incident but opted not to intervene, letting play continue and denying Liverpool a penalty.
Gary Neville, providing commentary for Sky Sports, even sided with Liverpool, deeming Odegaard “lucky” for the decision not to award a penalty. Neville expressed his belief that the situation warranted a penalty, citing Odegaard’s fortunate escape and hinting at the possibility of a slip being a contributing factor.
The non-call on the potential handball became a pivotal moment in the narrative of the match, with fans, pundits, and analysts dissecting the incident from various angles. The controversy surrounding the decision added a layer of intrigue to the clash between two top-tier teams, fueling discussions about the reliability of officiating in high-stakes encounters.
As the match progressed, the unresolved debate over the handball incident lingered, amplifying the tension on the pitch. The contrasting perspectives on whether a penalty should have been awarded fueled post-match discussions and raised broader questions about the consistency and effectiveness of VAR in addressing contentious moments that can sway the outcome of crucial matches.
Handball by Odegaard in their box.
Nothing given. pic.twitter.com/II8uscvjEa
— Viktor Fagerström (@ViktorFagerLFC) December 23, 2023
