22 METROSPORT Monday, December 14, 2009 D Red alert as Arshavin strike silences Anfield Clincher: Andrey Arshavin, second from left, celebrates with team-mates and boss Arsene Wenger after scoring the winner Picture: Getty Images liverpool 1 arsenal 2 LiverpooL suffered their sixth premier League defeat of the season as Arsenal came from behind to win atAnfieldthankstoAndreyArshavins stunning strike. The result leaves rafa Benitezs side floundering in seventh place, level on points with Birmingham, but breathes new life into Arsenals cam- paign Arsene Wengers men are third, now just six points behind lead- ers Chelsea with a game in hand. Liverpool led at the break thanks to Dirk Kuyt and should have had a penalty when William Gallas felled Steven Gerrard. But five days after Fiorentina came from behind to win at Anfield, a Glen Johnson own goal and Arshavins thunderbolt helped Arsenal repeat the feat. The russian hit four last season in a 4-4 draw but this time one was enough. Benitez did call on Fernando Torres and skipper Steven Gerrard yesterday and while both still appear to be lacking match fitness, they troubled Arsenal in the first half. The pair combined to set up Torres for a great chance which was hit straight at Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia. Gerrard was then denied a spot-kick when Gallas took his legs. But four minutes from the break Fabio Aurelio lifted a free-kick into the six-yard box, Almunia could only punch weakly and Kuyt fired home from ten yards. Arsenal levelled five minutes after the break when Johnson turned Samir Nasris low cross past reina. And it was soon to get worse for Liverpool, and especially Johnson. Fabregas cross after 58 minutes eluded the england right-back, who then failed to stop Arshavin turning to fire firmly in off the post from 18 yards. Alberto Aquilani came off the Liv- erpool bench with 25 minutes left, with the watching Xabi Alonso app- lauding the man bought to replace him from the directors box. But he made little impact and was soon hobbling, an apt image for a club whose season is in danger of limping to a disastrous conclusion. Liverpool: Reina, Johnson (Degen 82), Carragher, Agger, Aurelio, Mascherano (Aquilani 65), Lucas, Kuyt, Gerrard, Benayoun (Ngog 79), Torres. Booked: Aurelio, Mascherano, Lucas. Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Traore (Silvestre 87), Fabregas, Song, Denilson, Walcott (Diaby 70), Arshavin (Ramsey 90), Nasri. Booked: Denilson, Arshavin, Fabregas. Att: 43,853. Ref: H Webb MATCH FACTS RAFA BENITEZ admitted Liverpools confidence was at a low ebb after their latest defeat. The Reds boss (pictured) said: We paid for not making the most of our first-half dominance. Then everything changes when we give away an own goal at the beginning of the second period. Our confidence was low, we were conceding possession and they were controlling the game. But the players have suffered so many problems this season, it is hard to keep their heads up when they suffer yet another one like the own goal. But we have to bounce back, we must show character and play against Wigan on Wednesday the way we did in the first half. Benitez admits: My players are at rock bottom soccer pRemieR LeAgue By dAvid kennedy goal: kuyt TOp referee Mark Clattenburg could face some awkward questions after his decision to send off Craig Bellamy at the weekend. The official has found himself under fire from all sides following his decision to penalise the Manchester City forward at Bolton on Saturday. Bellamy was dismissed in the second half at the Reebok Stadium for two yellow cards, the crucial one for alleged simulation after he went down under a challenge by Boltons paul Robinson during the 3-3 draw. Television replays appeared to show Clattenburg had got it wrong and Bellamy was fouled however there is no option to appeal yellow cards so the forward will be banned for Wednesdays trip to Tottenham unless Clattenburg rescinds it himself in his post- match report. The decision to send Craig off was laughable, City boss Mark Hughes claimed. It is quite clear the guy [Robinson] has taken him out. Asked if there should be a procedure where clubs could appeal against yellow cards, Hughes said: It is not in place and that is where we are with it. We are going to be without Craig and have key games coming up. We are disappointed. Despite being down to ten men, City secured a point thank to Carlos Tevezs second goal of the game, 13 minutes from time. Citys other goal came from Micah Richards and the defender said: I think to come back from 3-2 down with ten men is the sign of a good team. Referee Clattenburg left red-faced by display Seeing red: Bellamy index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html