Liverpool FC 0 – Arsenal 1
One game, one goal, one refereeing decision could prove of immense significance in deciding the fortunes of Liverpool this season.
Rafa Benitez opted to keep things, as they were from the Everton game, apart from an appearance by Srktel, a forced change due to Kyrgiakos’ suspension.
During the first half Liverpool had plenty of possession but lacked a cutting edge in attack. The closest they came to scoring was with five minutes remaining when Ryan Babel's powerful 25-yard drive was tipped onto the bar by Manuel Almunia.
The second half started promisingly with Lucas firing over a few minutes after a good build up involving Kuyt and Maxi. Later Gerrard released Ngog who went off on a run however as reached the area he discovered that Gallas had the legs to make the tackle. In the same minute Rosicky had the best chance of the game so far but his control let him down badly at the vital moment when all he had to do was fire home from six yards.
The game was opening up now so the forced substitution of Carragher (groin) for Degen was not a timely one. Almost immediately Bendtner succeeded in beating Reina however no less than three of the Liverpool players were covering. The same player was then booked for diving around the edge of the area. Agger certainly touched him but it was outside the area and the faintest of contacts.
By now Liverpool were starting to come under pressure. Arshavin, was hauled off in favour of Walcott however, any relief we might have had was short lived. Fabregas found Bendtner, whose cross was cut out by Agger. Bendtner was quickest to the loose ball, transferring it down the right to Rosicky, whose cross was perfection, lifted into the box where Diaby scored with an unstoppable header.
Babel was bought on for Lucas and Gerrard dropped back. Babel almost struck a spectacular equaliser five minutes from time, escaping from Gallas and unleashing a powerful 20-yarder that Manuel Almunia did superbly to tip onto the bar. It was a fabulous save, a riposte to the Spanish keeper’s many critics.
Last hopes of an equaliser via a Gerrard free kick were dashed as Fabregas clearly handled the ball in the wall. However a further kick, be it another free or a penalty, was not forthcoming. Did referee Webb bottle it, he had a clear view? Perhaps he decided to equal the earlier Arsenal claim involving Bendtner or was it just a very, very poor decision?
Television replays showed that Cesc Fabregas had handled Gerrard’s goal-bound free kick and the Arsenal captain later admitted the ball had struck his arm. Yet Webb waved Liverpool’s appeals away, much to the squad’s dismay, and Gerrard was still trying to work out how the Yorkshire official had erred so badly
“It was a penalty,” said Gerrard. “The referee told the Liverpool wall in the first half that if anyone raised their arms above their waist he would give a penalty.
“So, for some crazy reason, he has not given the decision. He said to me he hadn’t seen it. But it’s unbelievable if a referee can’t see someone raise their arms in a wall.
“He told the Liverpool wall ‘nobody raises their hands’. Surely it’s the same rules for Arsenal?
Liverpool remain at fourth place in the table but only by a slender goal difference of one from Manchester City, who have two games in hand over them.
One game, one goal, one refereeing decision could prove of immense significance in deciding the fortunes of Liverpool this season.
Rafa Benitez opted to keep things, as they were from the Everton game, apart from an appearance by Srktel, a forced change due to Kyrgiakos’ suspension.
During the first half Liverpool had plenty of possession but lacked a cutting edge in attack. The closest they came to scoring was with five minutes remaining when Ryan Babel's powerful 25-yard drive was tipped onto the bar by Manuel Almunia.
The second half started promisingly with Lucas firing over a few minutes after a good build up involving Kuyt and Maxi. Later Gerrard released Ngog who went off on a run however as reached the area he discovered that Gallas had the legs to make the tackle. In the same minute Rosicky had the best chance of the game so far but his control let him down badly at the vital moment when all he had to do was fire home from six yards.
The game was opening up now so the forced substitution of Carragher (groin) for Degen was not a timely one. Almost immediately Bendtner succeeded in beating Reina however no less than three of the Liverpool players were covering. The same player was then booked for diving around the edge of the area. Agger certainly touched him but it was outside the area and the faintest of contacts.
By now Liverpool were starting to come under pressure. Arshavin, was hauled off in favour of Walcott however, any relief we might have had was short lived. Fabregas found Bendtner, whose cross was cut out by Agger. Bendtner was quickest to the loose ball, transferring it down the right to Rosicky, whose cross was perfection, lifted into the box where Diaby scored with an unstoppable header.
Babel was bought on for Lucas and Gerrard dropped back. Babel almost struck a spectacular equaliser five minutes from time, escaping from Gallas and unleashing a powerful 20-yarder that Manuel Almunia did superbly to tip onto the bar. It was a fabulous save, a riposte to the Spanish keeper’s many critics.
Last hopes of an equaliser via a Gerrard free kick were dashed as Fabregas clearly handled the ball in the wall. However a further kick, be it another free or a penalty, was not forthcoming. Did referee Webb bottle it, he had a clear view? Perhaps he decided to equal the earlier Arsenal claim involving Bendtner or was it just a very, very poor decision?
Television replays showed that Cesc Fabregas had handled Gerrard’s goal-bound free kick and the Arsenal captain later admitted the ball had struck his arm. Yet Webb waved Liverpool’s appeals away, much to the squad’s dismay, and Gerrard was still trying to work out how the Yorkshire official had erred so badly
“It was a penalty,” said Gerrard. “The referee told the Liverpool wall in the first half that if anyone raised their arms above their waist he would give a penalty.
“So, for some crazy reason, he has not given the decision. He said to me he hadn’t seen it. But it’s unbelievable if a referee can’t see someone raise their arms in a wall.
“He told the Liverpool wall ‘nobody raises their hands’. Surely it’s the same rules for Arsenal?
Liverpool remain at fourth place in the table but only by a slender goal difference of one from Manchester City, who have two games in hand over them.
