The Liverpool team and bench were in uproar as the obvious foul was completely missed by the referee, who let the goal stand, despite concerted efforts by the Reds. Manager Deschamps conceded his side were fortunate.
He said: "I have now seen the incident on TV and yes, it was handball. I could not see the hand ball at the time from where I was sitting, but I was very aware that the Liverpool bench were protesting. But the referee did not see it their way which was good fortune for us."
The incident was the latest stroke of bad luck to hit the Reds, who saw one of their few remaining attacking players limp off the park after only four minutes, with a suspected hamstring problem. Poor refereeing decision led to a Liverpool goal being disallowed at Middlesbrough on Saturday, and now with the Reds' top three forwards out of action, any points from the match with Arsenal on Sunday will be cherished.