Source: Daily_Mail
Ryan Babel admits his 'stupid' sending-off cost Liverpool dearly against Benfica
Liverpool forward Ryan Babel has admitted to being 'stupid and silly' after his sending-off in Thursday night's 2-1 Europa League quarter-final first leg defeat to Benfica in Lisbon.[LNB]Having taken an early lead through Daniel Agger and watched the Portuguese league leaders waste numerous chances the match turned on the 30th-minute dismissal of Babel.[LNB] Seeing red: Liverpool's Ryan Babel raises his hand to the face of Benfica's Luisao (above) and receives his marching orders from the referee (below)[LNB]The Holland international raised his hands to Luisao in a melee started by the Benfica defender after he had viciously gone through the back of Fernando Torres - a tackle which infuriated manager Rafael Benitez.[LNB]Swedish referee Jonas Eriksson, who lost control of the game the moment he allowed Luisao to escape with a yellow card, had no hesitation in sending-off the Liverpool player.[LNB]Two second-half penalties from Oscar Cardozo turned the game around for Benfica to leave Babel regretting his actions.[LNB]'The referee told me the red card was for touching Luisao's face - that was it,' said the Dutchman.[LNB]'It was clear that Luisao had made an awful foul and all I wanted to do was back up Fernando.[LNB]'Too harsh maybe. In the end maybe it was a stupid, silly thing for me to touch him in the face, but I think a yellow card would have been fair enough. But if they are the rules...[LNB]'He came very loud and very close with his face and I just tried to back him off with my hand (to say) don't come too close.[LNB]'That's it and in the end, they made it bigger than it was. But it was a mistake by me, I will learn from it and it won't happen again.'[LNB] Rafa fury over Babel red and Benfica penalties after Liverpool lose in LisbonBenfica 2 Liverpool 1: Reds pay the penalty after Babel sent off Mourinho lines up Gerrard: Balotelli could head from Inter to Liverpool LIVERPOOL FC
