January 16th 2024.
According to Howard Webb, Liverpool should have received a penalty in their match against Arsenal last month. As the head of referees, Webb stated that Martin Odegaard's handball should have been penalized during the 1-1 draw at Anfield. The game ended with both teams sharing a point, with Mohamed Salah equalizing after Gabriel Magalhaes' early goal. However, the first-half incident involving Odegaard caused quite a stir, leaving Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp confused by the decision.
The result of the game also saw Arsenal, last season's Premier League runners-up, secure the top spot at Christmas under manager Mikel Arteta's guidance. Despite replays showing Odegaard slipping and handling the ball after a touch from Salah, referee Chris Kavanagh decided against awarding a penalty. The decision was then confirmed by the VAR after review. Recently, the Match Officials Mic'd Up show released audio of the VAR process during the highly anticipated match on December 23. In the recording, Kavanagh can be heard saying, "No, his hand's on the floor," as Liverpool players vehemently appealed for a penalty.
However, former Premier League referee Webb, who officiated the UEFA Champions League and FIFA World Cup finals in 2010, believes that Odegaard's actions gave him a significant advantage, and the wrong decision was ultimately made. "The referee on the field recognized that Odegaard had slipped and saw his arm go towards the ground," said Webb, who is now the chief of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL). "This was not just an accidental fall onto the ball. He slipped, his arm went out, but then he pulled it back towards his body, which was when the ball made contact with his arm."
Webb further explained that the VAR took this aspect into consideration and believed that Odegaard was trying to make himself smaller by pulling his arm back towards his body. He emphasized that this was the crucial element in the decision-making process. "Whether it was instinctive or deliberate, Odegaard gained a massive advantage by bringing his arm back towards the ball," Webb said. "All the feedback we received afterwards was very clear. This was one situation where the wrong outcome was reached."
In other news, former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel praised a current United player for standing up to Ajax manager Erik ten Hag during their draw against Tottenham Hotspur. Meanwhile, ex-Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood accused another United player of "pretending to press" during the same match. On the transfer front, Chelsea is reportedly eyeing a surprise move for Aston Villa striker in the upcoming January window, while Liverpool has recalled Calvin Ramsay from his loan at Preston due to more injury concerns.
Going back to the Liverpool-Arsenal match, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher shared his thoughts on the penalty incident, stating that his former club should have been awarded a spot-kick. He also believed that Odegaard was incredibly fortunate not to have been penalized. "I think it was a penalty for Liverpool," Carragher commented while providing commentary for Sky Sports. "Odegaard was very lucky. When the referee doesn't give it, the VAR is unlikely to overturn the decision."
In other football news, Graeme Souness questioned Arsenal's move for Kai Havertz and gave his opinion on their interest in Ivan Toney. Liverpool also recalled Calvin Ramsay from his loan at Preston due to more injuries.
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