“Liverpool have always been very difficult for us to play, the frustration made made Odegard to commit a handball but Thank God we are…” Arsenal Defender William Saliba apologised to Liverpool fans and admits Martin Odegard’s handball was a penalty for Liverpool

“Liverpool have always been very difficult for us to play, the frustration made made Odegard to commit a handball but Thank God we are…” Arsenal Defender William Saliba apologised to Liverpool fans and admits Martin Odegard’s handball was a penalty for Liverpool

Arsenal defender William Saliba admits Martin Odegaard handball WAS a penalty for Liverpool…as Jamie Carragher SLAMS VAR for missing two ‘blatant’ calls in as many nights

Liverpool and Arsenal played out a thrilling 1-1 draw at Anfield on Saturday night

The Reds felt aggrieved not to receive a penalty in the first half after a handball

Arsenal were a better watch last season and played riskier football BUT they have more steel now… it could take them to the title – It’s All Kicking Off

William Saliba has admitted that Martin Odegaard’s handball in the first half of Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool should have resulted in a penalty.

The Gunners skipper slipped and handled the ball in the area shortly after Gabriel had given Mikel Arteta’s side an early lead at Anfield.

Referee Chris Kavanagh waved away the passionate protests of Liverpool players, while VAR David Coote decided not to instruct the official to take a second look at the pitchside monitor.

Odegaard’s intervention – however accidental – denied Mohamed Salah an opportunity to bare down on the Arsenal goal and Saliba believes that it should have been a penalty, though he maintained it was not his decision to make.

‘Yeah, of course.’ The 22-year-old chuckled in post-match comments to Viaplay. ‘It was a penalty but I’m not the ref and they have to accept [it].’

Former Reds defender and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher latched onto Saliba’s comments and claimed that VAR had also missed a ‘blatant’ handball in Aston Villa’s 1-1 draw with Sheffield United.

Blades defender George Baldock got away with a decision after appearing to move his arm towards the ball in the box.

Carragher claimed during commentary on Friday night that he believed it to be a worthy of a spot-kick and he reiterated his point on social media.

‘It was a penalty & the man of the match knows it!’ Carragher wrote on X, formerly Twitter. ‘Two blatant penalties for handball in the last two nights & VAR don’t get involved.’