Real Madrid defender Pepe feels the goal which set
Liverpool on their way to a famous Champions League victory on
Wednesday night should not have stood.
Pepe is aggrieved that Fernando Torres' 16th-minute opener was
not chalked off after the Portuguese centre-back claimed he had
been fouled by the Liverpool striker in the lead-up to the
goal.
Pepe went crashing to the ground as he nipped in front of Torres
to try and clear the ball on the edge of the area, but no foul was
given and Dirk Kuyt crossed for Torres to score the first of
Liverpool's four goals on the night as the Reds claimed a stunning
5-0 aggregate victory.
"I think the referee should have blown for a foul in the first
goal from Torres," Pepe said. "The match changed course from that
moment. I was the last player and felt I was pushed."
Torres' goal put Liverpool 2-0 up on aggregate and when Steven
Gerrard slotted home a penalty 12 minutes later the tie was as good
as over.
Rafael Benitez's side did not stop there though and second-half
efforts from Gerrard and substitute Andrea Dossena helped inflict
one of Madrid's heaviest defeats in the competition.
"Liverpool started the game well, with a lot of speed. We knew
it was going to be like that," Pepe added.
"We are very sad about the result. We want to apologise to the
fans, the only thing we can do is thank them for the support they
have given us. We've not been capable of turning the tie around and
winning.
"We are all very hurt but we have to raise our heads and bounce
back in the league. Real Madrid players must always be very proud
to wear this shirt and fight for the league title."
