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Reds boss Benitez shocked at Mascherano sending off

23/03/2008

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez admits he is stunned that Javier Mascherano was sent-off in the 3-0 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Mascherano was given a second booking by Steve Bennett for dissent just before half-time.

Goals from Wes Brown - his first in three years - Cristiano Ronaldo, and substitute Nani gave the home side victory.

Benitez insists Argentine Mascherano only asked referee Bennett why Fernando Torres had been booked.

"Clearly he didn't say anything. Ryan Babel was close to him, he didn't say anything, he was asking what happened," Benitez said.

"In these big games, to lose a player in this situation... it's strange because Javier Mascherano is a good professional and was really surprised with the sending-off.

"In a big game like this between the top four, a sending-off for asking is just a surprise."

Meanwhile Sir Alex Ferguson feels the sending off of Mascherano was correct after the controversy over Ashley Cole. The Chelsea defender turned his back on referee Mike Dean on Wednesday after an X-rated tackle in the 4-4 draw with Tottenham.

"He [Mascherano] has been booked and kept badgering the referee. We've talked about dissent and I think that was dissent," Ferguson said.
The Scot added: "It was a really good performance - a performance of maturity.

"We've seen a team mature over the last six months and today they hit their high peak."

"It's going to go right to the end, Chelsea and Arsenal going really well. We've beaten a strong Liverpool side playing good football."

United are at home to Aston Villa next Saturday while Liverpool clash with Everton the following day.