Rafael Benítez: 'Perfect' referee cost Liverpool victory at Portsmouth

Posted Sunday, December 20, 2009 by theguardian.com

Rafael Benítez: 'Perfect' referee cost Liverpool victory at Portsmouth
Rafael Benitez argues with the fourth official and Lee Mason prior to Javier Mascherano's sending off.

Are you worried about your job, Rafael Benítez? With a section of the Liverpool away fans joining in the Fratton chants of, "You're getting sacked in the morning," after their embarrassing defeat, he probably should be.

Immediately after the game the Liverpool manager, who only last week had assured fans of a top-four finish, was tight-lipped. "I'm worried about winning the next game," he said, with a face like an undertaker.

Benitez then gave a bizarre performance in the post-match press conference, appearing to blame the referee, Lee Mason, for the defeat by repeatedly labelling the official's performance "perfect" – the word enunciated with a heavy dose of sarcasm.

Benítez claimed that Javier Mascherano should not have been sent off – a decision that, he felt, turned the game.

Benítez: "I have seen the replay and for me it is not a sending-off, but anyway the referee was perfect. He didn't make any mistakes. Now Javier is injured, and I will say again the referee didn't make any mistake."

Press: "We don't understand? You say the referee didn't make a mistake?"

Benítez: "No he was perfect. Perfect. He was perfect."

Press: "So why was it not a sending-off?"

Benítez: "I have seen the replay, for me it's not a sending-off, but anyway. Perfect."

Press: "Was there any particular reason why players like Gerrard or Torres couldn't get it together and perform?"

Benítez: "No, the referee was perfect so Torres, he didn't have any problems."

Press: "You were a goal down before the sending-off, the average observer wouldn't say you were controlling the game at half-time. Why do you say it turned the game when you were a goal down already?"

Benítez: "If you see we created a couple of chances and we have plenty of possession in the first half I was convinced we could change the game."

Press: "Can you just explain what you said about the referee?"

Benítez: "Perfect. No mistakes."

Press: "But you say he made a mistake with the sending-off."

Benítez: "Perfect."

Press: "Don't you think Torres was fortunate to escape being penalised for that elbow?"

Benítez: "The referee was perfect."

Earlier this season Benitez was found guilty of misconduct but escaped FA punishment when he mimed removing his glasses to criticise another referee's performance.