A late mistake by Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina allowed Arsenal to salvage a 1-1 draw at Anfield on Sunday after both sides ended their opening Premier League match of the season with 10 men.
England midfielder Joe Cole was sent off on his league debut for Liverpool for a clumsy challenge on Arsenal debutant Laurent Koscielny who was himself dismissed just before the end for a second yellow card.
Liverpool went ahead just after half-time when striker David Ngog lashed the ball past Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia on his near post and they looked set to take three points in Roy Hodgson’s first league match in charge.
However, Arsenal equalized when Marouane Chamakh headed against the post and Reina spilled the rebound into his own net with just 15 seconds of normal time left.
Hodgson could not hide his frustration at conceding a late goal.
“It was a bit disappointing to lose two points so close to the end, but it was a remarkable performance having to play the whole of the second half with 10 men,” he told Sky Sports.
Cole was dismissed just before half-time for a high tackle on Koscielny near Arsenal’s corner flag. It was the first sending off of his career and he is set to miss Liverpool’s next three games.
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