The Reds’ big summer signing from Chelsea received a straight red card for a challenge on Laurent Koscielny in injury time of a goalless first half against Arsenal at Anfield.

An otherwise dull opening 45 minutes had only just burst into life moments earlier as Glen Johnson had a shot tipped over the bar and David Ngog saw an effort cleared off the line.

The new wave of optimism at Liverpool, following the appointment of Roy Hodgson as manager, was evident in the passionate atmosphere at kick-off.

But it was Arsenal who had the first shot on goal as Thomas Vermaelen tested Jose Reina with a fierce 30-yard free-kick after a handball by Mascherano.

Dirk Kuyt created Liverpool’s first opportunity when he turned in the box but Manuel Almunia easily gathered his cross.

New signing Milan Jovanovic cut through the Arsenal midfield with a determined run but Kuyt’s final ball again found Almunia.

Arsenal’s Samir Nasri had another long-range free-kick blocked and Vermaelen put the rebound wide.

Gael Clichy had Arsenal’s first serious chance from open play when he broke clear down the left after 30 minutes and fired a shot narrowly over from outside the box.

Liverpool thought an opportunity was opening up soon after when Almunia failed to claim a corner but referee Martin Atkinson spotted a foul by Daniel Agger on Vermaelen.

The action on the field was tight with neither side giving much away but Arsenal were almost caught when Jovanovic raced onto a long ball.

With Cole walking back from an offside position, the Arsenal defence let the ball bounce and the Serbia international darted into the box, only to blast wide.

The game suddenly burst into life in the closing minute of the half.

First Johnson had a shot tipped over by Almunia and Ngog then had a header cleared off the line from the resulting corner.

The complexion of the game then changed completely in injury time as Cole was sent off for a reckless challenge on Koscielny.