Liverpool v Arsenal: half time report
Liverpool 0 Arsenal 0
A red card for Joe Cole at the end of the first half has left Liverpool with a major uphill struggle against Arsenal at Anfield.
The new summer signing, from Chelsea, lunged in on Laurent Koscielny with just seconds remaining before half time, after an entertaining encounter between the two top four contenders.
Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen struck the game's first shot on target in the opening few minutes of the match. A rasping 25-yard effort forced Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina to parry the ball away, as the Gunners settled comfortably.
Arsene Wenger's side dominated possession of the ball for large spells, moving it around nicely in midfield through Samir Nasri and 18-year-old Jack Wilshere in particular.
However, shots have been few and far between in the first half for both sides. On the half-hour mark, Arsenal full-back Gael Clichy struck from range on the left-flank, but his effort sailed harmlessly over.
There was a worrying moment for Arsenal supporters moments later, though. A corner was nervously flapped at by goalkeeper Manuel Almunia, but fortunately for the Gunners' number one, no further danger came as a result.
Then, 10 minutes before the break, new signing Milan Jovanovic sprang the offside trap and advanced through on Almunia's goal. His lashed effort from a tight angle failed to test the Arsenal keeper, though.
Glen Johnson had arguably the best chance of the half on the stroke of half time. His left-footed strike from the edge of the penalty area was well tipped over by Almunia. But from the resulting corner came an even better opportunity. David Ngog's goalbound header was cleared off the line by Clichy, as the Reds were unlucky not to go into the break 1-0 up.
But then came the moment which will undoubtedly have a key bearing on the final result. Cole's recklessness earned him a red card, and Roy Hodgson will have to quickly come up with a Plan B to prevent Arsenal from taking all three points this afternoon.
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