Roy Hodgson says Liverpool will consider an appeal against Joe Cole's red card after revealing the midfielder is 'devastated' after being sent off against Arsenal.
Cole marked his Premier League debut for Liverpool by being dismissed in first-half stoppage-time following a challenge on Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny. Referee Martin Atkinson had no hesitation in showing a red card, but Hodgson is adamant the England international did not show intent in the tackle.
Hodgson will review the video footage before committing the Reds to an appeal following Cole's first sending-off in his professional career.
"He is devastated," said Hodgson. "It was his debut at Liverpool and a fantastic atmosphere. He was desperate to do well, not playing at the top of his game, but trying even harder to get to that level, and then suddenly he gets sent off.
"He was absolutely devastated and saddened by it all, not least because he'd put us in a difficult position. 0-0 with 10 men gives the advantage to the opposition.
"I've seen it on the video. At the time, from our position on the bench, I don't think either myself or Arsene (Wenger) had a strong opinion on the incident.
"We now have the benefit of TV replays, and those replays suggest to me he was a little bit unlucky because I don't think he actually dived to tackle the player.
"Joe Cole has got an unblemished record - he'd been previously never been sent off and had very few yellow cards. Everyone who has watched him play will agree he does not go in for 'blood curdling tackles', as I heard it described by a radio reporter.
"The fact the player wasn't seriously injured means we might just be fortunate enough that an appeal might go in our favour.
"It will be a big loss if he is suspended. We will look at the video again and try in some way to find out from referees and experts whether we do have a case for an appeal.
"I don't want a frivolous appeal, that's for sure, but it's a bit early in the day to ask me the question if we will appeal."
Cole marked his Premier League debut for Liverpool by being dismissed in first-half stoppage-time following a challenge on Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny. Referee Martin Atkinson had no hesitation in showing a red card, but Hodgson is adamant the England international did not show intent in the tackle.
Hodgson will review the video footage before committing the Reds to an appeal following Cole's first sending-off in his professional career.
"He is devastated," said Hodgson. "It was his debut at Liverpool and a fantastic atmosphere. He was desperate to do well, not playing at the top of his game, but trying even harder to get to that level, and then suddenly he gets sent off.
"He was absolutely devastated and saddened by it all, not least because he'd put us in a difficult position. 0-0 with 10 men gives the advantage to the opposition.
"I've seen it on the video. At the time, from our position on the bench, I don't think either myself or Arsene (Wenger) had a strong opinion on the incident.
"We now have the benefit of TV replays, and those replays suggest to me he was a little bit unlucky because I don't think he actually dived to tackle the player.
"Joe Cole has got an unblemished record - he'd been previously never been sent off and had very few yellow cards. Everyone who has watched him play will agree he does not go in for 'blood curdling tackles', as I heard it described by a radio reporter.
"The fact the player wasn't seriously injured means we might just be fortunate enough that an appeal might go in our favour.
"It will be a big loss if he is suspended. We will look at the video again and try in some way to find out from referees and experts whether we do have a case for an appeal.
"I don't want a frivolous appeal, that's for sure, but it's a bit early in the day to ask me the question if we will appeal."
