Liverpool FC assistant boss Sammy Lee's tribute to Robbie Keane after Arsenal draw

"Robbie has been fantastic. He's a good lad and he keeps on plugging away," said Lee.

"He'll trouble players and teams for any given game, so there's no problems with Robbie's confidence and he'll keep on working to try to improve.

"Our lads deserve credit as well. After going a goal down we felt we took control of the game and got back into it.

"To come to a place like Arsenal and get a point you would have been happy before, but we always go out to win the game so we are a little bit disappointed."

Benitez used a phone link to keep in touch with events at Emirates Stadium.

"His bill will be quite big to be honest. Technology as it is, it was never going to be a problem," said Lee.

"We kept in touch before and during the game. It is great testament to his professionalism because he has been in a lot of pain.

"I hope he can settle down and get 100% right for the schedule."

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger was incensed after Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor was shown a second yellow card by referee Howard Webb on the hour mark after challenging for the ball with Alvaro Arbeloa.

Adebayor's other caution came in the first half for leaving his foot in against Emiliano Insua.

The Arsenal boss said: "Every week when we play away from home people say teams get in our faces and we can't cope with it. Do you want me to show you our players when we play away?

"It is a joke. The first booking wasn't justified either. It is just unbelievable.

"If he sends Adebayor off, he has to send Keane off in the first half. We have two different rules.

"It could have cost us two points today. I don't agree with the referee's decision at all. Ask Arbeloa, Carragher was next to them, they know Adebayor didn't touch him."

Wenger insisted his men were not out of the championship race.

He said: "The title is won in May and we are in December. Mathematically we will fight until the end. I believe Liverpool will drop many points. I am convinced of that.

"They had four draws at home. That means they dropped eight points. Why shouldn't they drop eight more in the second half of the season?"

Arsenal's frustrations were made worse by the loss of captain Cesc Fabregas at half-time with a knee injury.