Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole will miss three Premier League games after being sent off on his debut against Arsenal.

He was given a straight red card in the 1-1 draw on Sunday for a two-footed challenge on Laurent Koscielny and the Reds will not lodge an appeal.

The 28-year-old will now miss matches against Manchester City, West Brom and Birmingham, however, he is allowed to play in the Europa League.

He was making his League debut at Anfield after moving from Chelsea.

New Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson felt the verdict was harsh, saying: "We now have the benefit of replays on the TV and those replays suggest to me he was a little bit unlucky."

606: DEBATE Does that mean he is now banned for 3 PL games? Devastated hgb9

They had to appeal to the Football Association by 1300 BST on Monday but decided against it.

However, had they appealed and it was deemed frivolous by the FA, Cole could have been given an extra game ban which would have seen him miss the match against Manchester United at Old Trafford on 19 September.

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