Liverpool's Macherano mystified

Liverpool's Javier Mascherano couldn't face head coach Rafael Benitez (R) after being sent off with a second yellow card.

Javier Mascherano still has no idea why he was sent off against Manchester United during Liverpool's 3-0 Barclays Premier League defeat at Old Trafford.


While the possibility persists that the Argentinian could yet have to serve more than the mandatory one-match ban - because he failed to leave the pitch immediately after being red-carded - Mascherano remains non-plussed over the initial reason for yesterday's dismissal.


Referee Steve Bennett had already booked him for a foul when Mascherano sought to make his feelings known to the official after Fernando Torres had also been given a yellow card.


It was then the referee gave the midfielder his second booking for dissent.


But Mascherano claimed: "I do not know why I was sent off.


"I asked the referee what was happening. I did not swear; I was not aggressive and I did not confront him.


"All I did was ask him what was happening, nothing else."


Mascherano, who subsequently lost his cool as he made his way off the field, told the Liverpool Echo: "When he showed me the second yellow card and sent me off I could not believe it.


"I am sorry to my team-mates because that meant we went down to 10 men - and that made things even more difficult for us."