Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard admitted he had doubts over whether his injury-time penalty was a spot-kick but he was grateful for the chance to make it 1-1 in their Champions League clash at home to Atletico Madrid.
The England midfielder was harshly ruled to have been fouled by Mariano Pernia as they challenged for an aerial ball and he picked himself up to fire home.
Liverpool had dominated the game but had trailed Maxi Rodriguez’s 37th-minute opener, which made the equaliser all the more important.
“I think we controlled the game but first half we weren’t good enough,” said Gerrard.
“We raised it at half-time and it finally came in injury time. I’m not sure it was a penalty. I got their first and I think if that is outside the area you get a free-kick.”
The penalty award sparked huge protests from Atletico and Gerrard admitted he had some sympathy.
“If it happened at the other end we would be livid. That’s football. It’s a point and we move on,” Gerrard told ITV1, stressing it was important to produce a performance after losing their unbeaten record against Tottenham at the weekend.
“It is important because we have got a point. Good teams don’t usually lose two in a row and we showed a lot of character.”
Manager Rafael Benitez, who felt his side should have had at least one penalty earlier in the match for handball, was more sure of the penalty award.
“I think so, watching the replay,” was his assessment.
“I think it was the linesman who has given the penalty but it is better not to talk too much about the referee.”
The England midfielder was harshly ruled to have been fouled by Mariano Pernia as they challenged for an aerial ball and he picked himself up to fire home.
Liverpool had dominated the game but had trailed Maxi Rodriguez’s 37th-minute opener, which made the equaliser all the more important.
“I think we controlled the game but first half we weren’t good enough,” said Gerrard.
“We raised it at half-time and it finally came in injury time. I’m not sure it was a penalty. I got their first and I think if that is outside the area you get a free-kick.”
The penalty award sparked huge protests from Atletico and Gerrard admitted he had some sympathy.
“If it happened at the other end we would be livid. That’s football. It’s a point and we move on,” Gerrard told ITV1, stressing it was important to produce a performance after losing their unbeaten record against Tottenham at the weekend.
“It is important because we have got a point. Good teams don’t usually lose two in a row and we showed a lot of character.”
Manager Rafael Benitez, who felt his side should have had at least one penalty earlier in the match for handball, was more sure of the penalty award.
“I think so, watching the replay,” was his assessment.
“I think it was the linesman who has given the penalty but it is better not to talk too much about the referee.”
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