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Arsenal centre-back William Saliba has acknowledged that Liverpool should have had a penalty which may have decided their white-knuckle Premier League draw on Saturday. Jurgen Klopp was left perplexed after the final whistle, with Martin Odegaard going unpunished for handling the ball inside the box.
It was high-octane from the word go at Anfield, with Gabriel Magalhaes putting Arsenal ahead inside four minutes. Mohamed Salah lashed in an equaliser before the half-hour mark, and the two sides went back and forth on the hunt for three points until the final whistle.
The match finished 1-1, ensuring Arsenal spend Christmas Day top of the table, but a convincing penalty shout in the first half could have seen the contest turn out differently.
Salah’s forward pass was blocked by the hand of Gunners captain Odegaard, but referee Chris Kavanagh was unmoved and the VAR crew at Stockley Park opted not to recommend an on-field review.
Arsenal and Liverpool played out a thrilling draw on Saturday (Image: Getty)
Speaking after the game, Saliba was brutally honest in his assessment of the incident, admitting: “Of course, of course it was a penalty. But I am not the referee.”
The comments will make Kavanagh’s decision even more difficult to digest for Klopp, who said: “Yes I have seen it. I am pretty sure someone will come to explain it to me why it was not a handball but I don’t know how?
“I don’t say that the ref can see it because I don’t know where he was in that moment. But how can a guy in an office see that and not come to the conclusion that maybe, it could be worth the referee having another look?”
Arsenal have a slim one-point buffer over Liverpool at the top of the table, while they sit six points ahead of reigning champions Manchester City, who have a game in hand due to their recent Club World Cup escapades. A buoyant Arteta paid tribute to his players for their efforts on Merseyside.
Martin Odegaard’s handball scare went unpunished against Liverpool (Image: Getty)
“We absolutely came through it, the boys were incredible,” he said. “It was one of the most intense, hectic games I have witnessed in 20 years in this league. And that says a lot. It was two unbelievable teams that really raised the bar to a different level.
“Both wanted to win it and there were moments for each side even though at that end in the last 15 to 20 minutes our team really wanted to win the game and didn’t find the right pass or quality moment at the end to achieve that.”
Liverpool currently sits second in the league after 18 games played. The Reds have won 11 games, drawn six, and lost just one thus far this season, giving them a 39-point record. With 40 points, Arsenal leads the league right now. With 34 points, Manchester City is in fourth place in the standings, while Aston Villa has 38.
The match for the league lead against Arsenal ended 1-1 at Anfield, with Mohammed Salah and Gabriel scoring. This means that the points were shared by both teams.
For the following reasons, Liverpool, who are currently in second place in the league, are still considered favorites to win it all.
Salah is back to his best form.
Mane and Firmino’s departure from Liverpool affected Mohammed Salah’s ability to maintain his stellar performance. Rumour had it that he performed best when Mane was on the team.
But Salah has shown everyone else incorrect this season. He had 19 goals in the previous campaign. His current goal total is twelve. Salah, who is playing well, can drive Liverpool to the very end.
Arsenal’s old habit.
Before they consistently lose it in the final few days, the Gunners tend towards being at the top of the league table. From the start of the previous season until their late-season collapse, the Gunners led the league.
The players have a mental block that will be challenging to get past.
Liverpool have a team B.
The Reds can afford to pick another starting eleven and still get good results. To win the league, a team must have a second eleven. Something that Arsenal still lacks.
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