’Pool, Arsenal defend blundering keepers

Spanish goalkeepers Pepe Reina and Manuel Almunia came under fire as Liverpool and Arsenal fought out a 1-1 draw at Anfield on Sunday.

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher refused to blame Reina for the late goal which gave Arsenal a point while Gunners boss Arsene Wenger lent his support to Almunia who allowed David Ngog’s drive to beat him at his near post.

With Roy Hodgson looking set to celebrate his first league match in charge with a victory, Reina bundled the ball into his own net under pressure from Marouane Chamakh.

“I’d have to look at it again, but a lot of time you get a foul for that,” said Carragher.

“I know they say they’re protected. But he’s the best goalkeeper in the world and you saw that last year.”

Wenger refused to blame Almunia for Liverpool’s goal, even though the Spaniard was beaten at his near post.

“It’s difficult to say it was his fault,” said Wenger, who has been linked with a move for Fulham’s Australian keeper Mark Schwarzer.

“He’s been beaten at the short corner but you give credit to Ngog.”

Hodgson praised his side’s resilience as they almost held on to a 1-0 win with just 10 men.

After Joe Cole’s first half injury time dismissal for a lunge on Laurent Koscielny, Liverpool took the lead courtesy of Ngog’s fine strike just after the interval.

They appeared destined to hold on to that advantage and claim the three points that would come with it but after earlier making two wonderful saves from Tomas Rosicky and Theo Walcott, Reina finally ran out of luck.

In a dramatic conclusion, Koscielny was also dismissed for two bookable offences.

“I thought it was a fantastic effort but of course points are hard to come by in the league,” said Hodgson.

“When you come so close, you can’t avoid that feeling of disappointment. Maybe that second-half performance deserved all three. To lose it so close to the end was harsh on us.

“Every expert is saying this is going to be a tougher year than ever to win the league so it was good at least to show we have the spirit to do well this season.”

No appeal

Meanwhile, Cole’s red card will stand after Liverpool did not appeal before yesterday afternoon’s deadline.

The Football Association confirmed the Reds had not contested Cole’s controversial dismissal against Arsenal by 1 p.m. yesterday, meaning the 28-year-old will serve a three-match ban.

Cole was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Koscielny.

Liverpool boss Hodgson felt the verdict was harsh and the club were considering whether to appeal. But Liverpool have decided not to appeal and will therefore be without Cole for their Premier League matches against Manchester City, West Brom and Birmingham.

The England midfielder will be available for Thursday’s Europa League play-off round first leg with Trabzonspor and the second leg the following week.