Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher claims that Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard was ‘very fortunate’ not to concede a penalty against Liverpool on Saturday evening.
The majority of the footballing world were left baffled when Liverpool weren’t awarded a penalty after Martin Odegaard handled the ball in the box.
In the 20th minute of the match, Mohamed Salah attempted to touch the ball around the Norwegian but he blatantly prevented the Egyptian from getting past him by flailing his arm at the ball.
Although VAR claimed it wasn’t a clear and obvious error after waving play on, many have rushed to criticise this moment.
Jamie Carragher hails Martin Odegaard as ‘very fortunate’ not to give away a penalty
VAR continues to make the headlines in the Premier League as yet another controversial decision was brought to light in such an important top-of-the-table clash.
Speaking live on Sky Sports during the match, Jamie Carragher was left baffled by the fact the Reds weren’t awarded a penalty.
Carragher said: “I think it was a penalty for Liverpool. He was very fortunate, Odegaard.
“When the ref doesn’t give it, the VAR is very unlikely to change the decision.”
Martin Odegaard was very lucky not to give away a penalty
The Norwegian midfield maestro supplied an inch-perfect assist for Gabriel’s brilliant headed goal but after being involved in such a controversial incident moments later, he can count himself very lucky.
More times than ever this season, VAR is constantly getting decisions wrong and this is certainly the case here.
Whilst Arsenal were fortunate on this occasion, there have been numerous times this term where incidents haven’t gone the Gunner’s way.
In the 1-0 defeat against Newcastle, Mikel Arteta launched a furious post-match tirade as VAR refused to rule out the Magpies’ late winner as Anthony Gordon’s strike cost them all three points.
Meanwhile, in the 1-0 victory over Manchester City in October, midfielder Mateo Kovacic considered himself fortunate to not get sent off for a late challenge on Martin Odegaard midway through the first half. VAR could have advised the referee to send the Croatian off, but it was kept only as a yellow.
On this occasion, though, it was the Arsenal skipper who was on the end of some good fortune after blatantly handling the ball in the penalty area.
And you could tell by his sheepish reaction that he knew it should have been a penalty to Liverpool.
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