What the bosses said - Liverpool Wigan Athletic

Following any game it is always interesting to see what the two opposing managers made of the action but yesterdays match at Anfield between Liverpool and Wigan Athletic had a tinge of controversy with the sending off of Latics player Antonio Valencia.

With Latics leading 1-2 and just 15 minutes on the clock Valencia was dismissed for his second booking, the first looked a mistake and shouldn`t have occurred the second a rash but not dangerous challenge, we also had a wonder goal by Zaki and also the now familiar Liverpool comeback, that`s enough of me rattling on lets see what the bosses said:

Latics boss Steve Bruce:

"In my opinion we were robbed. It is a joke that we have not come away from this match with something.

"The referee got the first booking for Valencia wrong. The Liverpool player took the kick, and Valencia did not encroach towards it until the ball had been kicked. So he got that one wrong.

"Then there is the tackle on Alonso, in which I felt the lad touched the ball. I felt that was harsh.

"Those decisions changed the whole course of the game. With 11 against 11 we would not have lost. But there were a lot of tired bodies out there and we could not hold out.

"When you are at Anfield you need some things to go for you. I keep hearing the word `respect` but I did not think we got that from the referee`s performance today."

"We were ahead at the break and deserved it. It was not a fluke, we had taken them on and Zaki was outstanding.

"He is scary to play against and he will not understand how he can be on the losing side after a performance like that."

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez:

'I think that we were attacking, controlling and creating chances so we were in control of the second half.

'We didn't start well and they started really well.

'After conceding the goal the team was a little bit nervous but when we scored the first goal, we were again in the game and were controlling.

'We then concede the second goal when we were playing better.'

Very interesting, different takes on the sending off, I bet if it was the other way round so would be the managers comments, its a wonderful game football.

Watch Bruce interview on the BBC here

Vital Latics - Listening to the managers

It's easy to join us at Vital Latics to register , simply click the link and enjoy getting involved

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.