Fergie: Liverpool Needed Ref For Goals

There was a horrible sinking feeling around the ground when referee Howard Webb awarded a freekick against John O’Shea just outside the area.

I was furious. From my view, and what was later confirmed to me on MOTD2, it just looked as though the players had run in to each other. Edwin Van der Sar was coming out to collect and would certainly reach the ball before Torres, so the Spaniard, who has been dreadful this season, made the most of it.

Sir Alex Ferguson has commented on the fact Liverpool were unable to create anything from open play, relying on the decisions from the referee to get themselves back in to the game, before losing anyway.

“Liverpool didn’t offer anything really, did they?” said Ferguson. “They depended on two decisions from the referee and linesman to get them back in the game – a penalty kick and a free-kick. I’ve watched the free-kick since and Torres definitely made a meal of it. There’s absolutely no doubt. He tried to get our player sent off.”