Thompson raps Arsenal fans (The Mirror)

And last night Liverpool stand-in boss Phil Thompson pleaded with the FA not to single out his defender for punishment because it would play into the hands of the yobs who try to provoke players.

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Carragher was struck at least four times by objects thrown by spectators and had upwards of 20 missiles hurled in his direction during the game.

"He was hit by a hail of coins, not just one, and they were not thrown by just the one spectator either," Thompson said.

"In the first case he was the victim of a dreadful attempted tackle and then he suffered terrible verbal abuse before the objects were thrown at him.

"Jamie was frustrated and angry, and, while it doesn't make it right, we can't have a witch-hunt with fans given a sanction to bait players.

"More and more we're seeing missiles thrown at players. It is sad it may have taken a player tosnap and show his frustration

before something is done about it. I hope this acts as a catalyst, because there is growing frustration among players about what's been happening up and down the country."

Arsenal are using CCTV to try to identify the culprits, but Thompson said: "It seems to be all one way. The perpetrators get off scot-free and it's the players who are punished. Jamie will be hit with a ban and action we take internally.

"It's not for us to say how the authorities should handle this, but I hope he is treated sympathetically."

Thompson's plea for action is likely to be taken seriously by the FA, who yesterday said they are already looking at ways of stamping out the menace.

FA chiefs will convene this week to discuss what measures to take. These could include large fines for clubs and even ground closures.

FA spokesman Paul Newman said: "We're involved in discussions with the Premier League and Football League, and are looking at measures which could prevent this happening.

"We've spoken to Arsenal and they are preparing a report for us, and are trying to identify a number of people allegedly involved in throwing coins. We're expecting reports from Arsenal and the police in the next 24 hours.

Any FA action against Carragher will have to wait until police have completed their investigation into the incident, although the feeling is he could escape with a large fine and a three-match ban for the red card he received for throwing back the coin.