Liverpool Defender Jamie Carragher refuses to blame goalkeeper despite his blunder that allowed Arsenal to draw their premiership opener
Liverpool Defender Jamie Carragher refuses to blame goalkeeper despite his blunder that allowed Arsenal to draw their premiership openerJamie Carragher refused to criticise Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina despite a blunder that handed Arsenal a draw in the opening game of their new Premier League campaign.
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| Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina palms the ball into his own net during their 1-1 draw with Arsenal in the English Premier League at Anfield in Liverpool yesterday. PIC/GETTY IMAGES |
Despite being down to 10-men following Joe Cole's sending-off, David Ngog had put the home side ahead shortly after the interval. However, Arsenal restored parity right at the death after the Spanish international palmed a Tomas Rosicky cross into his own net.
There was a hint of foul play by new Gunner Maroune Chamakh on the Red's shot-stopper, but Carragher refused to be drawn into the debate.
"I'd have to see the goal again but (Pepe Reina) is the best 'keeper in the world, so it's not a problem," he told Sky Sports.
Having been down to ten men for the whole of the second-half, Roy Hodgson's men displayed a fighting spirit which Carragher put down to a change of the manager's hot-seat.
"I don't want to criticise the last manager (Rafael Benitez) but it was time for a change and when a new manager comes in there is optimism and enthusiasm," he added.
"It's the first game of the season, everyone is buzzing, we've got a new manager and it's not all doom and gloom like last season. We are very disappointed but at half-time you'd have taken a draw."
Wenger happyMeanwhile, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger waxed lyrical about his side's fighting spirit.
"We had a lot of possession," Wenger told Sky Sports post-match.
"Liverpool did well and did create many chances, we have to be complimentary, but we kept going (which) shows that we're not giving up. It is a good result at Liverpool."
A big talking point in the game came in the final minute of the first-half when Liverpool debutant Joe Cole was sent-off for a late challenge on Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny. However, Wenger admitted he didn't have a great view of the incident.
"I saw (Laurent) Koscielny had the ball but I didn't see the tackle" he commented.
The Arsenal manager also gave a debut to Marouane Chamakh, and the Moroccan striker made the challenge on Reina which resulted in the own goal. And the French tactician admitted he was happy with him and other new signing Koscielny's performances.
"(Mourane) Chamakh scored and Koscielny had an outstanding game, for me he was impressive," Wenger added.
