RAFA: MISTAKES COST US

Steve Hunter 06 January 2007 Rafael Benitez reflected on the 3-1 FA Cup defeat by Arsenal and admitted defensive mistakes cost his side dear.

The Liverpool manager felt the Reds started the game well but added he was disappointed with the errors. "It was a bad day for all our supporters and for us and we have to be disappointed because we made some mistakes which cost us," admitted Benitez. "We controlled the game for the first 35 minutes but we then made two mistakes and we found ourselves 2-0 down at half-time. We then got back into the game but made another mistake but with us going forward and trying to get another goal that was always a risk. "It was a close game but when you make a mistake you normally get punished. Xabi Alonso thought he could have had a penalty but I haven't seen the replay again and you can't change these things now. I don't think he should have been given a yellow card though."