Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has issued an apology over his reaction to the red card he received from referee Steve Bennett during the Reds’ recent defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford.

The Argentine international was incensed by Bennett’s decision to hand him a second yellow card for dissent, and continued to pursue the referee in his rage.

Yesterday Mascherano was handed a further two game ban by the Football Association for his reaction to the decision. Today he apologies for his actions.

“I apologise to everyone,” he said. “I made a mistake and I regret this mistake. It was my fault.

“I am not a dirty player, I do not make a habit of showing disrespect towards referees, I don’t like this and I can only think the high intensity of the fixture, against Manchester United, affected my behaviour that day. It was out of character, but I do not use that as an excuse.”

However, this morning’s newspapers suggest Liverpool may appeal against the F.A.’s decision to impose a further two game ban on Macherano.