Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has rued a missed penalty decision in his team's 2-1 loss to Arsenal on Sunday.

The Spanish tactician believes an incident involving Reds skipper Steven Gerrard and Arsenal defender William Gallas in the first half should have brought about a spot-kick to his team and said if it had been paid, the whole dynamic of the game would have been different.

"It would have been so much different had we been awarded that penalty(when Gallas tripped Gerrard)," Benitez said.

"It does not matter whether the ball has gone away from the player, it is still a penalty if you foul him and bring him down.

"These decisions can make a massive difference."

Benitez said Liverpool paid the ultimate price for not being efficient enough in front of goal and was looking for a much-improved showing when they take on Wigan at Anfield on Wednesday.

"We paid for not making the most of our first-half dominance. It is hard to explain after we were on top of them so much," he added.

"(Fernando) Torres had a great chance, we were denied a clear penalty when Gerrard was brought down and then everything changes when we give away an own goal at the beginning of the second period.

"Everything changed. Our confidence was low, we were conceding possession and they were controlling the game all the time.

"It was difficult to explain after we were playing so well. But the players have suffered so many problems this season, it is hard to keep their heads up when they suffer yet another one like the own goal.

"But we have to bounce back, we must show character and play against Wigan on Wednesday the way we did in the first half against Arsenal."

Check out the video of Liverpool fans singing 'You'll Never Walk Alone' before the Fiorentina clash last week.