Steven Gerrard believes that referee Mark Halsey got the major decisions wrong as Liverpool were beaten 2-1 by Manchester United

Steven Gerrard believes that referee Mark Halsey got the major decisions wrong as Liverpool were beaten 2-1 by Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday.

Steven Gerrard feels hard done by

Jonjo Shelvey was sent off in the first half for a challenge on Jonny Evans, and Luis Suarez had a second-half penalty appeal rejected, before United won the game with a dubious Robin van Persie spot kick.

Defeat has left Liverpool in the bottom three with just two points from five games, but fans chanted their support for manager Brendan Rodgers towards the end.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers complained referee Mark Halsey cost his side the game

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers complained referee Mark Halsey cost his side the game after their 2-1 defeat to Manchester United.

Jonjo Shelvey gets his marching orders for a two-footed tackle

• Liverpool 1-2 Manchester United

The Liverpool manager was unhappy with Halsey's decision to dismiss Jonjo Shelvey as well as the award of the penalty that Robin van Persie converted in the 81st minute, saying Luis Suarez should also have been given a spot kick.

And Rodgers felt both sides could have been down to ten men before half-time when Jonny Evans escaped unpunished from the challenge that resulted in Shelvey's departure.