Football
2009-10-29 @ 08:51:38
Arsenal 2 - 1 Liverpool
By Mandeep Sanghera
Arsenal proved too strong for Liverpool as they beat the Reds in an absorbing Carling Cup fourth round tie.
Fran Merida thundered in an 18-yard shot to put Arsenal ahead.
Emiliano Insua equalised with a superb 25-yard dipping strike but Nicklas Bendtner shot into the roof of the net for what proved to be the winner.
Alberto Aquilani impressed after coming on for his Liverpool debut and felt he should have had a penalty when Philippe Senderos blocked his overhead shot.
Referee Alan Wiley waved away the Italian's appeals for a Senderos handball but, after the long wait to see the £20m summer arrival, he showed some nice touches and energy in a 15-minute cameo appearance as his side pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages.
Andriy Voronin put a shot wide for Liverpool and Ryan Babel missed a Dirk Kuyt cross with the home goal gaping as Arsenal held on for the win.