Ref Pieter Vink has admitted to Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger he made a mistake in not awarding a penalty against Liverpool during last week's 1-1 Champions League draw.

The controversial incident of the night was Dirk Kuyt's challenge on Alexander Hleb that Vink now admits should have been penalised with a spot-kick - but from his position he had not spotted the foul and he felt that the Gunners star went down very easily.

The Sunday Mirror says the ref's confession has helped soften Wenger's stance.

The Arsenal boss has publicly stated that he does not want Vink to become a scapegoat.