Kuyt: It was never a penalty... but close - Sport - Evening Standard
       

Kuyt: It was never a penalty... but close

Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt insisted the referee was right not to award a penalty against him in tonight's 1-1 Champions League draw with Arsenal.

Kuyt equalised for the visitors after Emmanuel Adebayor had put Arsenal in front in the quarter-final first leg at Emirates Stadium.

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Wide open: Dirk Kuyt celebrates after firing Liverpool level

Wide open: Dirk Kuyt celebrates after firing Liverpool level

However, the Dutch striker was fortunate not to concede a penalty in the second half when he appeared to pull back Alexsandr Hleb inside the area.

"It's just a split second you have to decide," said Kuyt.

"I didn't pull his shirt. It was never a penalty - but it was close."

Speaking about the game, Kuyt added on Sky Sports 2: "We did everything we could - we wanted to score and we did.

"After the goal, we came back in the game and had a few other little chances. They have a great performance, and we did everything we could.

"We have shown in European nights at Anfield we were really good and we hope we can do the same next week and go through to the semi-finals."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was frustrated by the draw and the referee's decision not to give a penalty.

"It's difficult to understand how we did not win the game, we had a lot of possession and a lot of chances," Wenger said on Sky Sports 2.

"We were a bit unlucky as well with a big decision of the referee on the penalty. It's difficult to take but we have to swallow it.

"Sometimes the referee is in a bad position but he was five yards away from Kuyt and it was 100%."

Robin Van Persie was taken off at half-time with an injury, and Wenger added: "It doesn't look too bad but we think he may be short for the next game."

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