Graham Poll's Official Line: Desperate Liverpool pay the price for unsporting behaviour
Liverpool's desperation to win at Old Trafford was made clear by two unsporting acts early in the first half.
Javier Mascherano cynically pulled Antonio Valencia back as the United winger burst through.
Flashpoint: Liverpool's Javier Mascherano cynically grabs the arm of Antonio Valencia in the incident that led to a penalty for Manchester United
It was definitely a foul but the level of cynicism cannot affect the decision by the match officials.
The initial contact by the Argentinian was clearly outside the penalty area and replays suggested that, being fully aware of where he was on the field, Mascherano let go of Valencia’s arm before he got into the area.
Technically, if the contact stopped outside the area then it should not have been a penalty but football purists would say that justice was done due to the cynical nature of the foul.
READ POLL’S VERDICT ON THE WEEKEND'S FLASHPOINTS
The second act of unsporting behaviour was a new one to me and occurred once referee Howard Webb had pointed to the spot for United’s penalty.
Fernando Torres deliberately kicked at the penalty mark in what appeared to be an attempt to affect the surface prior to Wayne Rooney taking the kick.
A yellow card should have been issued and probably would have been had Webb seen what the Spaniard was up to.
TORRES KICKS UP A FUSS
Unsporting: Rooney looks bemused by Torres's behaviour after the Spaniard strides to the penalty spot (below left) and scuffs the surface (below right) with his boot
- Iker Casillas breaks down in tears in emotional farewell
- Conor McGregor looking wild and ready at fierce UFC weigh-in
- Bastian Schweinsteiger in emotive promo as he leaves Munich
- Louis van Gaal confirms Matteo Darmian arrival at Man United
- Franck Ribery: Bayern team sad to see Schweinsteiger leave
- Micah Richards sings Usher hit during Aston Villa initiation
- Robin van Persie receives heroes welcome at Fenerbahce
- Heartwarming moment baby sees parents clearly for first time
- Shocking new footage of ISIS massacre in Tikrit
- Genesis Rodriguez Gomez collapses during a lift attempt
- Solar cycle: The sun's 11-year heartbeat explained
- Shocking video shows driver barrel into four women
- Morgan Schneiderlin has medical with Manchester United as...
- Manchester United XI: With Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan...
- Bastian Schweinsteiger on way to England to finalise £15m...
- Raheem Sterling on his way to Manchester City after...
- Manchester United confirm Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan...
- UFC 189: Conor McGregor stops Chad Mendes late in second...
- Martin Demichelis marries former Playboy model Evangelina...
- Robin van Persie lands in Turkey as Manchester United...
- Raheem Sterling is leaving Liverpool but his recent...
- Conor McGregor parties the night away after stopping Chad...
- Novak Djokovic crowned Wimbledon 2015 champion with victory...
- Novak Djokovic hails family life following victory over...