Liverpool fans furious as VAR denies them 'stonewall' penalty against Arsenal

Liverpool fans have voiced their anger on social media after Jurgen Klopp's side were denied a penalty in the first half of their Premier League clash with Arsenal.

The two title rivals went head-to-head on Saturday night, with Premier League leaders Arsenal going in search of a rare victory at Anfield.

Klopp had called on the home fans to create a ferocious atmosphere but they were silenced after just three minutes when Gabriel Magalhaes headed the visitors in front.

His goal was awarded following a VAR review for offside.

Liverpool looked to hit back immediately but were left frustrated when they had a penalty appeal for a handball turned down by referee Chris Kavanagh.

Despite replays showing the ball clearly striking Martin Odegaard's hand, VAR opted not to overturn Kavanagh's original decision.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher claimed the penalty should have been awarded.

"I think it was a penalty for Liverpool. He was very fortunate, Odegaard," Carragher said on Sky Sports.

"When the ref doesn't give it, the VAR is very unlikely to change the decision."

Liverpool fans vented their fury on social media after the controversial decision.

"That is the definition of handball. Stonewall penalty. Not even worth asking the referee to have another look?!," posted one supporter on X.

Odegaard with a CLEAR handball in the box — penalty call which was obviously not given or even looked at. pic.twitter.com/UaoAf6UMYN

— LFC Transfer Room (@LFCTransferRoom) December 23, 2023

Another wrote: "Yes, that should have been a penalty to Liverpool after Odegaard dribbled the ball like he was in the NBA."

While a third wrote: "Odegaard went full LeBron. How is this not a penalty?"

Liverpool did, however, find a route back into the match before half-time.

Mohamed Salah beat Oleksandr Zinchenko on the right wing before firing an unstoppable finish past David Raya in the Arsenal goal.

Later on, Kostas Tsimikas was forced to go off after colliding with his own manager, Jurgen Klopp, with the first half eventually ending 1-1.