Houllier blames referee for Euro exit

Gerard Houllier bemoaned the performance of referee Dauden Ibanez after watching Liverpool crash out of the UEFA Cup in Marseille tonight, insisting the Spanish official was “wrong” to award a crucial penalty against his side.

Emile Heskey had given Liverpool the lead before Igor Biscan was sent off for tugging Steve Marlet’s shorts and Didier Drogba equalised from the penalty spot.

In the second half, Abdoulaye Meite’s header gave Marseille victory, 2-1 on the night and 3-2 on aggregate.

“I thought it was a very harsh decision and the wrong decision because it was way outside the box,” said Houllier on five.

“If he [Biscan] did something wrong, it was outside.

“I don’t think it would have been a penalty if it had happened the other way.

“The referee gave them a bit of help today.”

As the game wore on, England striker Michael Owen was taken off, apparently after feeling his hamstring tighten, as Liverpool continued to bravely chase the game.

Houllier added: “We had a plan to cause them problems, scored a goal and had a couple of chances.

“I was just waiting for half-time to make substitutions and bring in some fresh legs, but I could not do that.

“It [the penalty] changed the whole game.

“The effort was magnificent and I feel sorry for the lads and the fans that travelled because we did not deserve to lose.”