Benitez confirms no Sunderland replay request to be made

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has confirmed that there will be no request made to the Premier League to have Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Sunderland replayed.

The Reds went down to the Black Cats by a single goal from Darren Bent that deflected in off a beach ball.

By the laws of the game the goal should have been disallowed but Benitez has made it quite clear that the under-par performance from his players that came with it means the Reds have little cause for complaint.

“I think the referees and [referees chief] Keith Hackett know that a mistake has been made but I do not want to criticise because he is a young referee,” said Benitez.

“There are not too many referees around the world so if you have someone who has a passion and wants to be a good referee then the best thing to do is to just move on.”

“A lot of people are saying this but we will not be asking for this.”

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