Gerro is fall right by us

RAFA BENITEZ defended Kop skipper Steven Gerrard as Atletico were left seething by a controversial last-gasp penalty.

Gerrard won a soft spot-kick in the fourth minute of stoppage time when he went down under the challenge of Mariano Pernia.

The Reds ace fired home and boss Benitez insisted: “It would have been a free-kick in the middle of the pitch so in the box it is a penalty.

We have to be disappointed we haven’t won either game against Atletico but we have one more point.

“We were talking before about the character of the team. That’s five or six times we have come back from behind.

“In the end we are happy to get a point but it’s disappointing we had to leave it right until the end.”

Gerrard said: “I got to the ball first and headed it. If it had been outside the box it would have been a free-kick, so it was a penalty.

“It was a big point for us and it means we stay at the top of the group. We showed our character by coming back.”

Atletico coach Javier Aguirre said: “I was a long way from the incident.

“I’m not in the habit of criticising referees and I’m not going to change that now.”

Liverpool are behind Atletico on goal difference at the top of Group D and can clinch a place in the knockout stages against Marseille in three weeks.

They had a frustrating night after falling behind to a 37th-minute strike from Maxi.

Fernando Torres failed to face his old club but should be fit for Saturday’s West Brom clash after a hamstring injury.