Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has jumped to the defence of Peter Crouch following his red card against Chelsea. Liverpool lost 2-0 in the Carling Cup game after Crouch was dismissed for a lunge on Mikel John Obi.

The dismissal effectively ended the game since Chelsea were already 1-0 up. Benitez believes that the incident was unlike Crouch and that the player was provoked:

"That decision finished the game. Mikel tried to kick Crouch twice. That is the reason Crouch lost his head. If the referee blows his whistle before, you avoid the sending off."