Liverpool see red over penalty

Jose Mourinho and Rafael Benitez were involved in a verbal spat on Sunday after Chelsea held Liverpool to a 1-1 draw at Anfield.

Chelsea got a barely deserved point when referee Rob Styles awarded them a second half penalty after Florent Malouda fell into the unlucky Steve Finnan.

Frank Lampard converted the spot kick in the 62nd minute to cancel out Fernando Torres' well-taken first half goal, scored on his home debut.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard said he felt the referee had been intimidated by Chelsea's players and had "cracked".

Blues manager Mourinho defended his players by calling them "pure" before Benitez questioned that statement.

After being told of Gerrard's comments, Mourinho said: "I think I have a naive team because we don't have divers, don't have violent people, nasty tacklers and don't have people diving in the swimming pool. Chelsea are a pure and naive team."

Benitez told reporters: "You can check the team and see how many players they have that do things he says they do not do.

"I don't like to give names but I remember situations in past years and today you can see players talking all the time."

There has been bad blood between the two managers ever since Liverpool won a Champions League semi-final in 2005 with a goal at Anfield that Mourinho still insists did not cross the line.

After the game, Benitez said he was upset to see his side miss out on victory because of a bad refereeing decision on a day when title rivals Manchester United were beaten and Arsenal were held to a draw.

"It was a mistake. It is unbelievable. How can he make this decision," he told reporters. "The referee can watch the video and see why we are disappointed."

Mourinho backed the official's decision despite admitting he had not seen a replay of the incident.

"When Malouda opens his legs to let the ball go through to Didier Drogba he is kicked from behind, I think it is a penalty," he said.

Gerrard, who has reverted back to a central midfield role this season, said the referee had been put under pressure by Chelsea's players.

"It was a very unfair decision and it has got Chelsea a point," he told Sky Sports. "I felt the referee didn't play well today. There was a lot of pressure from Chelsea's players and eventually he cracked."