Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Aurelio Unimpressed By Mason


Fabio Aurelio feels referee Lee Mason was partially responsible for costing Liverpool two points at Stoke.

The Reds were held to a 1-1 draw by the Potters at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday, piling yet more pressure on under-fire coach Rafa Benitez.

A lacklustre display did little to suggest that Liverpool are capable of rescuing their season and securing a top four finish in the Premier League, with few opportunities created by both sides during a disappointing contest.

The Reds do, however, feel that luck was firmly against them in the Potteries, with the match officials, sloppy defending and the woodwork combining to ensure they were forced to settle for a point.

Brazilian full-back believes that Benitez's men were deserving of a morale-boosting success, after battling bravely against stubborn opposition, but insists referee Mason did all he could to deny them a welcome win.

"We mentioned before the game that we just had to let the referee do his job and not speak to him because he has not been very good for us in the past," Aurelio said in the Liverpool Daily Post.

"In the end, during the game, we had to push him on things because we could see a lot of decisions that should have been in our favour.

"Speaking to Lucas, he said he has two clear penalties turned down.

"There were a lot of decisions that the referee just didn't see. That's why we are so disappointed."

Benitez also feels that referees who underperform should be held accountable for their actions and has called on the appropriate authorities to take action.

He said: "They have people in charge of referees who analysis these things and they know. We have to try to be positive after this game, it is important we stay positive, and we have to be disappointed with the decisions. They were not the best.

"I don't think you can change too many things (about this game) even if you do say anything. The question is, they have people who are in charge and they have to decide what to do when they have seen the performance of the referee on the pitch.

"It's like me dealing with a player. If a player makes a mistake then you put the player on the bench."

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