Dalglish: Reds showed spirit

Dalglish: Reds showed spirit

Published Apr. 17, 2011 9:15 p.m. ET

Robin van Persie's 98th-minute spot-kick had looked to have kept Arsenal on the tail of leaders Manchester United, but there was still time, owing to a lengthy stoppage after Jamie Carragher was knocked out on the field, for Emmanuel Eboue to foul Lucas Leiva and allow Dirk Kuyt to net at the other end. Carragher's withdrawal left Liverpool short of experience, with rookie defenders Jack Robinson and John Flanagan repelling Arsenal for the majority of the game. "I think what we did at the end epitomised the performance," Dalglish told Sky Sports afterwards. "We lost two players (Carragher and Andy Carroll), we had two teenagers at right and left-back, playing against a side looking to win the league. "We remained committed to getting something out of the game and we had to play on." Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was unhappy that, after eight minutes on added time had been signalled, referee Andre Marriner awarded Liverpool's penalty three minutes after that time had passed. Wenger had words with Dalglish on the touchline after Kuyt's goal, but the Scot added: "I'd rather not repeat what was said. "I don't know why a conversation between two managers on the bench is relevant after a game like that. It's not worth the time of day." Wenger admitted he was unhappy that so much added time had been played, and also claimed that he did not believe Liverpool's penalty should have been awarded. He said: "It was a game where Liverpool defended a lot. I feel hard done by in the end because the time was over by three minutes. "But you have to take it and you continue to fight. Extra time was eight minutes. "Lucas played in an intelligent way. He stopped his run and the referee saw penalty, but what can you do about it?"

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