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Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher reacts after seeing red against Fulham - Source: Reuters -
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Rafa Benitez is set to appeal both red cards after a nine-man Liverpool suffered a Halloween horror show at Craven Cottage on Sunday.
The Reds Swiss defender Philip Degan and stand-in skipper Jamie Carragher were both sent off in the second half as Liverpool's Premier League title hopes disappeared with the 3-1 loss to Fulham.
But Benitez, whose side have now crashed to their fifth league loss in the League, believes referee Lee Mason got both decisions wrong, and is quoted as saying Degan's foul on Clint Dempsey was no more than a yellow.
He also maintained Carragher played the ball when he was deemed to have brought down Bobby Zamora.
For me, the first one with Degen was a yellow card, and with the second one it was clear that Carra was kicking the ball and not Zamora," he added. "I watched the replay and it is clear.
"We will try to appeal against both red cards because for me it's very clear that Carra was kicking the ball and the other one Degen was not kicking the player."
It was Bobby Zamora who put Fulham ahead in the first half before Fernando Torres smashed in an equaliser as Liverpool dominated possession.
But after Erik Nevland put Fulham ahead for the second time, and Benitez, bizarrely substituted Torres and Benayoun in the second half, Fulham pushed forward and it was Clint Dempsy who pinched a late goal.
Torres substitution defended
The Spaniard, whose side have a must-win Champions League clash against Lyon on Thursday, also defended his decision the take Premier League top goalscorer Fernando Torres off.
"We decided to play Fernando against United which was a difficult decision because he wasn't 100 per cent fit," the boss told his post-match press conference.
"After this game he needed four days to be ready again but he still isn't 100 per cent fit, so we had to decide if he could start today or use him for part of the second half. We decided to start with him but I have to protect the player." Benitez told Liverpool's official website.
"We decided to take him off just after the hour because I want to protect him and don't want to lose an important player like Fernando for one month. We had options in attack when he came off."
But Benitez, who is currently without influential midfielder Steven Gerrard (groin) and new signing Alberto Aquilani (flu) injury concerns are growing by the week, is now looking forward to the Lyon clash, but insists he is not feeling the pressure.
"It was difficult to take but it was a good response from the nine players who worked hard, but always it's very difficult to come back against 11 players." Benitez said.
"We now have a difficult game against Lyon. My concern now is we have too many injuries and we have to analyse which players will be available for Wednesday.
"All the managers want to win games and when you are not winning you have to analyse why, and we are doing this.
"Everyone saw the game against United and you saw we have confidence and we can do it.
"It's a question of taking your chances when you create them and don't make massive mistakes like today and give a lift to the other team.
"We have to be calm, keep working hard and find solutions."
