LONDON, Feb 1: Liverpool's John Barnes scored a second-half penalty and Arsenal's Paul Mcrson
missed one to present struggling Liverpool with a 1 -0 away win a and three valuable points in the English Premier soccer league on Sunday, reports Reuter
Barnes struck in the 59th minute after Andy Linlghan brought down lan Rush in the penalty area when the Welsh striker had beaten Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman in a challenge for the ball.
Four minutes later Merson had a golden chance to equalise from an Arsenal penalty but Liverpool goalkeeper David James dived to his left and made a brilliant
Mid-table Arsenal played the last three minutes of the match with 10 men after defender Nigel Winterburn was sent off for his second bookable offence, a scaythlng tackle on Liverpool winger Steve McManaman.
Barnes hammered his penalty high into corner of the net. completely beating goal keeper Seaman who guessed wrongly and dived to his left.
But Liverpool had goalkeeper James to thank for securing their first win In eight matches by saving the penalty awarded to Arsenal when Kevin Campbell was tripped by defender Mark Wright
Liverpool's Paul Stewart was booked after two fouls on Arsenal midfielder David Hi filer,who limped off with a thigh injury after the second offence.
Arsenal s Intcrburn earned his first booking in the 27th minute for a reckless tackle on McManaman and received his marching orders in the dying minutes for another failure to stop the Liverpool danger man by legitimate means.
Arsenal's Alan Smith twice came close but the pace of Rush and Barnes gave Liver-^ol the edge in the second
Arsenal and Liverpool, two of the most famous clubs In the country, are having poor seasons by their won standards and have both suffered 10 league defeats this season.
Liverpool moved up to 12th place In the 20-strong Division. One place and three points behind Arsenal, but are still only eight points above bottom club Oldham.
They trail 16 points behind leaders Norwich, who returned to the top on Saturday with a 1 -O win at Everton.