Liverpool fans were left astonished after Martin Odegaard escaped conceding a penalty for a handball. When the ball was pumped into the Arsenal box from a free-kick, fans inside Anfield screamed as the ball struck Odegaard’s arm as he slipped over.

Odegaard appeared to have handled the ball in the box. Mohamed Salah immediately demanded a penalty as play continued, with VAR checking the incident as Liverpool pressed for an equalizer following Gabriel’s early header.

However, the decision was made that it was not a penalty, much to the bewilderment of Liverpool fans. One fan on social media humorously commented, “Odegaard’s playing basketball.” Another expressed confusion, saying, “In what world has Martin Odegaard not handled the ball there? Baffling decision.” A third fan added, “Odegaard went full LeBron. How is this not a penalty?”

Speaking on talkSPORT, host Jason Cundy remarked, “There’s a huge penalty shout. The ball has come into the Arsenal box, and Odegaard, it looks like he claws it out with his hand, in the area!”

While Mikel Arteta might consider himself lucky, Liverpool still managed to climb back into the match minutes later.

Odegaard might consider himself lucky for not giving away a penalty. A beautiful pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold found Salah one-on-one with Arsenal’s goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, and Salah executed a perfect shot into the roof of the net.

Gabriel Magalhaes had earlier put the Gunners ahead with a brilliant header from an Odegaard free-kick.

In the end, both teams had to settle for a point, meaning Arsenal will be top of the Premier League at Christmas, just like last season.