Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Pepe not happy with the Torres goal


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."

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