Wenger still confident of victory

Arsene Wenger is at a loss to explain how Arsenal failed to win their Champions League quarter-final first leg at home to Liverpool - but he is confident his men can finish the job at Anfield next week.

The Gunners took an early lead through Emmanuel Adebayor but the Reds hit back quickly through Dirk Kuyt's close-range effort after a fine run from captain Steven Gerrard.

"It is difficult to understand how we did not win the game, because we had a lot of possession and a lot of chances," said Wenger, after his side were held to a 1-1 draw by Liverpool at the Emirates.

He added: "We were a bit unlucky as well with a big decision of the referee on the penalty. It's difficult to take, but we have to swallow it.

"Sometimes the referee is in a bad position but he was five yards away from Kuyt, and it was 100% a blatant penalty."

Wenger has little doubt Arsenal were the better team.

"I feel we were not rewarded for what we produced - and we had the chances to win it," he said.

"Liverpool created very little, and the whole second half was played in one half.

"If you look at our amount of possession compared to Liverpool, it is frightening that we could only come out of it with a 1-1.

"It will be a test now for us in the second leg, but we have the desire to do it."