( CNN ) -- Liverpool new boy Joe Cole was sent off for the first time in his professional career in a 1-1 draw against Arsenal in their English Premier League opener on Sunday at Anfield . Despite being down to 10 men , Liverpool took a 46th minute lead through David Ngog , but were denied victory by a Pepe Reina own goal in injury time . Cole , who joined Liverpool after being released by champions Chelsea , was sent off for a two-footed lunge on Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny just before half-time of the heavyweight encounter . Referee Martin Atkinson had no hesitation in giving Cole his marching orders as Koscielny , a summer capture by Arsene Wenger from Lorient , appeared to be seriously injured by the scything challenge . But he came out for the second half to ironic cheers from the home fans , who had the last laugh when Koscielny was himself sent off for a second yellow card on the stroke of the final whistle . Arsenal had the better of a cagey first half and with Liverpool down to 10 men were expected to take advantage , but fell behind straight after the break . Javier Mascherano , who is set to leave Liverpool , played in Ngog who crashed the ball past Manuel Almunia at his near post and high into the net . Liverpool fans were cheered by the second half appearance of substitute Fernando Torres , but he had few glimpses of goal as Arsenal pressed for an equalizer . Thomas Vermaelen headed wide and substitute Tomas Rosicky forced Reina into a brilliant fingertip save . But soon afterwards the Spanish international was shaking his head after an uncharacteristic error gifted Arsenal their equalizer . Under challenge from Marouane Chamakh , Reina dropped the ball but appeared to have got away with his mistake until the ball hit the post and he fumbled the rebound , allowing it to cross the line . There was still time for Steven Gerrard to force Almunia into a fine save from a free kick and for Koscielny to be booked twice , the second for deliberate handball , to be shown a late , late red . New Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson told Sky Sports that he was a `` little bit disappointed , '' that his team had not held out for three points but hailed his side 's resilience . `` It was a remarkable performance to have come so close to victory after playing all of the second half with 10 men , '' he added .
Liverpool and Arsenal draw 1 - 1 in English Premier League opener at home . Liverpool 's Joe Cole sent off just before halftime for foul on Laurent Koscielny . Arsenal also sees red deep into injury time at the end of the match . David Ngog put Liverpool ahead but Pepe Reina own goal rescues Arsenal .