Liverpool left frustrated by FIVE refereeing controversies against Manchester United as they are denied three penalties while Marcus Rashford and Antonio Valencia dodge red cards
- Marcus Rashford wasn't not booked for jumping into the crowd when celebrating
- The striker was later booked for a challenge on Liverpool's James Milner
- Ashley Young was not penalised for bringing down Mohamed Salah in the area
- Antonio Valencia escaped punishment for what appeared to be a handball
- Marouane Fellaini clattered into Sadio Mane but penalty a was not awarded
- Valencia also got away with a challenge on Mane later on in the Old Trafford tie
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Liverpool were left frustrated after FIVE controversial refereeing decisions went against them in the away defeat by rivals Manchester United.
Jurgen Klopp's side had three penalty appeals turned down in the 2-1 defeat — and the Reds boss was particularly aggrieved by what he saw as a Marouane Fellaini foul on Sadio Mane — while Marcus Rashford and Antonio Valencia were perhaps fortunate to escape red cards.
Rashford enjoyed an excellent first half, scoring both of his side's goals, but the United forward could also have been sent off.
Marcus Rashford entered the crowd as he celebrated his first goal - but dodged a booking
Rashford received a yellow for his challenge on James Milner later in the first half
Rashford again got away with this challenge on Liverpool defender Trent Alexander
The 20-year-old opened the scoring in the 14th minute and celebrated by entering the crowd, which is a bookable offence, although referee Craig Pawson elected not to brandish a yellow card.
After proceeding to score for the second time in the game, Rashford then received a yellow for a challenge on James Milner. Had he been cautioned for jumping into the crowd, Rashford would have been sent off for a second bookable offence.
In 2016, Rashford's United team-mate Juan Mata was booked for entering the crowd after opening the scoring during a game against Arsenal.
Later in Sunday's piece, Rashford also lunged in for a tackle on Trent Alexander-Arnold, another incident which could have seen him booked for a second time. He ended the first half still on the pitch, however.
The visitors were also aggrieved that a penalty wasn't awarded when Mohamed Salah was brought down in the box by Ashley Young. Young grabbed the Egyptian but Pawson didn't feel it warranted a penalty.
Ashley Young wasn't penalised for appearing to haul down Mohamed Salah in the area
Antonio Valencia wasn't punished after the ball struck his arm from Andrew Robertson's cross
Former Tottenham striker Teddy Sheringham, speaking on Sky Sports, said: 'He’s tugging at him a little bit but doesn’t do enough for him to go down. He does enough as a defender.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said: 'The interesting thing is Salah and Milner didn’t complain about a penalty. Young is quite clever, he let go at the right time. He's so tight to him. The referee has got to see and there’s no way he was ever going to give that one.'
There was further frustration for Liverpool after they were not awarded a penalty when Andrew Robertson's cross appeared to strike Valencia's arm.
Carragher said: 'It (the ball) travels far enough. The question is, can Valencia get his hand out the way? Yes he can. But who would? That’s the one up until now (that should have been awarded).'
Graeme Souness argued: 'That’s a stonewaller. He can get his hand out of the way.'
Craig Pawson decided not to give a penalty for Marouane Fellaini's challenge on Sadio Mane
Valencia appeared to catch Sadio Mane with his studs but the defender escaped a red card
There was another incident in the second half as United's Marouane Fellaini clattered into Sadio Mane but a penalty wasn't given.
Klopp told Sky Sports: 'I think it was a clear penalty with Fellaini on Sadio. You need the right decisions and we didn’t get them.
'We fought back with big heart, played football, but (did) not (create) clear chances.
'The clearest was when Roberto (Firmino played a) backheel (to) Sadio - if there’s no foul, he scores. It’s a clear foul, I think really.'
Souness was not so sure, however, saying: 'This is a very difficult one for the referee.'
A furious Jurgen Klopp said he felt at least one of the decisions should have been a penalty
Carragher felt that Pawson made the correct decision. He said: 'If you’re in Fellaini’s position what else can you do?'
Late on Valencia was perhaps fortunate not to be sent off for a challenge on Mane. Valencia went in with his boot raised and appeared to catch the chest of the Liverpool attacker with his studs.
Mane was sent off against Manchester City earlier in the season for a studs-up challenge on Ederson.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5485225/Liverpool-frustrated-refs-decisions-versus-Manchester-United.html#ixzz59SFCBYi2
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