Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez felt Man U winger Antonio Valencia dived to win an equalising penalty in his side's 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford yesterday.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez felt Man U winger Antonio Valencia dived to win an equalising penalty in his side's 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford yesterday.
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dive in the park! Ji-Sung Park (in red) of Manchester United heads to score United's winning goal against Liverpool during their English Premier League match at Old Trafford in Manchester, England yesterday. United won 2-1. pics/Getty Images |
Striker Fernando Torres gave the visitors the ideal start when he headed in Dirk Kuyt's cross six yards out in the fifth minute. However, referee Howard Webb controversially awarded a penalty five minutes later when Valencia went down under Javier Mascherano's challenge despite initial contact being outside the area.
Wayne Rooney converted the rebound after Jose Reina had brilliantly saved his spot-kick but it was not until midway through the second half when Park Ji-Sung scored the winner off a diving header.
The Korean is invaluable to the Man U side.
Penalty problem"We gave away the penalty too early, but there are doubts about the penalty," said Benitez, adding: "When you see the replay it is suspicious how he went to the ground."
Asked whether he thought Valencia had dived Benitez said: "From the replay I think so. It is not clear but the way he fell down is strange.
"It made a big difference. We were playing well and had confidence and then one situation changed
