Source: Liverpool_Echo
Liverpool FC manager Rafa Benitez fuming over Benfica referee Jonas Eriksson
Heady Heady Heady[LNB]LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez was left fuming by the performance of referee Jonas Eriksson in the controversial Europa League quarter-final first-leg 2-1 defeat to Benfica in Lisbon.[LNB]Defender Daniel Agger had put the visitors ahead by converting Steven Gerrard's ninth-minute free-kick with a clever backheel.[LNB]However, Ryan Babel was sent off on the half-hour for pushing a hand in Luisao's face in a melee sparked by the defender's crunching tackle on Fernando Torres.[LNB]In the second half two controversial penalty awards allowed Oscar Cardozo to score twice having earlier missed a host of chances.[LNB]Benitez said he was disappointed with Babel for his response but felt Swedish referee Jonas Eriksson should have been stronger when he only gave Luisao a yellow card.[LNB]'I was surprised because a foul from behind is more serious,' he said.[LNB]'I would like to analyse the foul before. And after, when one player is shouting in front of the referee after he already has a yellow card.[LNB]'It is a big difference when you kick a player from behind to a player touching another in the mouth.[LNB]'It is difficult to understand and impossible to change but we have to move forward and think about Anfield.[LNB]'Always decisions against your team you don't like but you cannot change them and the only way now is to try to be positive.[LNB]'Half-time was a 1-0 game and we had confidence, I prefer not to talk about problems or incidents.'[LNB]Torres, in particular, came in for some rough treatment but Eriksson was content to allow it - much to Benitez and his players' anger.[LNB]Throughout the second half fireworks were thrown towards Pepe Reina's goal, resulting in two stoppages and a report to the UEFA delegate, which did little to improve the visitors' mood.
