Reina's blunder ensure Arsenal's let off.

Jose Reina

Liverpool could have started their season on the right note had their goalkeeper not committed a howler in the dying minutes of their opening match at Anfield against Arsenal. In what was supposed to be another classic encounter between these two rivals, the match ended with both the team being a man down. Joe Cole had the most inauspicious debut in Liverpool colours when he was sent off at the stroke of half-time. Cole was red-carded for a lunge on Laurent Koscielny. Ironically Koscielny himself was booked twice for two unnecessary challenges.

Jose Reina

David Ngog put Liverpool ahead in the 46th minute and it looked Liverpool would hold on for the win until the Liverpool goalkeeper saw the ball rebound off him after Marouane Chamakh had hit the post in the final minute. The goal came as a respite for Arsenal who despite having the majority of ball possession failed to create substantial chances. Mascherano and Skrtel had a brilliant game as both negated Arsenal’s attack and the numerical advantage. The Arsenal brand of football was not on display until the introduction of Tomas Rosicky. The Czech midfielder injected pace and urgency into the play which lacked all day and tested Reina with a superb curler that almost drew the Gunners level. Only a finger tip save from Reina denied Rosicky. However the hero turned into villain moments before the finish.

Cesc Fabregas didn’t featured in the match owing to lack of match practice while the other big names Van Persie and Torres made substitute appearances.

Edited by Staff Editor