Kuyt feels for Pennant

Goalscorer Dirk Kuyt sympathised with Jermaine Pennant after the winger was sent off in Liverpool’s nail-biting 1-1 draw at Porto.

Lucho Gonzalez handed the hosts an early advantage from the spot after Jose Reina brought down Tarik Sektioui after Sami Hyypia’s mistake.

Kuyt levelled with a close-range header before Pennant was sent off for two yellow cards early in the second period – the second for a pointless challenge near the touchline.

But the Dutch striker told ITV1 afterwards: “He was unlucky. He tried to do his best and maybe it was a bit too much.”

Kuyt added: “We are pleased because we played 30 minutes with 10 men.

“We didn’t play well in the first half and were unlucky with the red card.

“The first half we had problems passing. We tried to do it better second half and we worked really hard. With a bit of luck we could have won.

“Porto is a really strong team and at least we didn’t lose. If we can beat them at home we will be okay.”

Manager Rafael Benitez was less forgiving of Pennant's indiscretion, and when asked if he deserved to go the Spaniard admitted: "I think so. It was hard, but I think so.

“Maybe he will learn from this.”

He added in ITV1: “I am really proud of the players in the second (half). These games we want to win but a point can be good.

“It was a night of suffering all the time – the only positive was the team playing with 10 players.

“The second half was much better.”