Liverpool Football Club News

• Nickname:Reds
• Founded:1892
• Manager:Kenny Dalglish

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Benitez slams Reds referee

06 May 2007 - 13:17:18

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Angry Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez slammed the match officials after Fulham's Michael Brown went unpunished for a headbutt on Xabi Alonso during Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Craven Cottage.

The Reds' Spain international midfielder required treatment after a first-half altercation with the Cottagers captain.

Liverpool lost the match 1-0, but Benitez was angered that referee Steve Bennett or any of his assistants failed to spot the incident.

"It was clear and everybody saw it. When the FA view the replay I suppose they'll take action," said the Spaniard.

"If the officials had seen it then it could have changed the game.

"Big money has been spent in the electronics system for the four officials yet nobody could see anything.

"We could save the money spent on that and use it for the academy system because it is clearly not working.

"The officials say to me 'Be careful with the line (around the technical area)', but I don't want to break the line, I want to watch the game.

"I had four players injured in this game - Jose Reina, Momo Sissoko, Alvaro Arbeloa and Xabi Alonso. It's unbelievable.

"You can use 20 referees, 2,000 cameras and a lot of electronic systems, but if you don't want to see it you won't."