Liverpool captain Gerrard and Manager Hodgson still unhappy with Cole’s Red Card decision
All Liverpool fans were expecting the English international to be the a super star in the season opener for the Merseyside at their home Anfield, but Cole’s start towards his career for the Reds started with a red card.
Skipper of the Scouse team Steven Gerrard has stated that Arsenal player Laurent Koscielny was over reacting to the tackle by Cole in Liverpool first match in the English Premier League. He stated that his response to the injury was fake and was an insult to sportsmanship.
Cole was debuting for Anfield in the match but because of the tackle he was sent off the field and his first impression at the Merseyside was tarnished. Cole was surprised at decision of the referee as not only had he tackled without studs but the attempt was on the ball. In addition he hadn’t even received a warning prior to the send off.
The match ended in a 1-1 draw with a 10 men Liverpool. At the time of the tackle Koscielny was taken off from the field as he was unable to walk and seemed in too much pain.
Gerrard has stated that a major part of the sending off was because of the reaction from the Arsenal fans in that part of the stadium. He stated that the referee delivered the decision under pressure and nothing much had really happened to Koscielny.
That theory was confirmed in the 2nd half of the match when Koscielny returned to play after he was taken off on a stretcher so the First Aid could be delivered to him in a better way.
Gerrard told that when he saw Koscielny returning to play in the second half he was certain that the Joe Cole’s detention was unfair. He stated, “When you see the player's reaction after the tackle you think that might be the end of his game but he sprinted back onto the pitch for the second half, but there you go”.
He told that Cole indeed had hit some bad luck and no one at Anfield wanted Cole to have a start for the Reds in such fashion. He reckoned “a bit unlucky to get a red card”. He mentioned that all fans and players wanted to have him a great start but the decision from the referee was too cruel, “A yellow would have been sensible. But if you make those tackles in front of the away supporters, it influences the referee and that's what happened”.
The Manager of Liverpool Roy Hodgson was also disappointed in the decision and though had earlier stated that the club would appeal against the decision but nothing has yet happened and therefore a 3 match ban is taking place.
The reasons for the decision by coach are not yet confirmed but officials from the club have stated that they do respect the decision of the referees and in the end will have to follow it.
Hodgson commented on Cole’s Red Card, “I have seen the TV replays and they suggest Joe is a little bit unlucky. He didn't dive at the player; he dived in front of the ball. Their player got hit in the leg. We are pleased to see it wasn't a serious injury to him because he was able to come out and play in the second half”.
He added, “He will be a big loss if he is suspended and maybe we will try and see if there is some way for the referee to have a look at it again, but I don't want to make a frivolous appeal, that's for sure. Joe has a great disciplinary record. He has never been sent off before and had only a few yellow cards. Anyone who watches Joe play knows he is not the sort of guy who goes in for bloodcurdling tackles”.
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