SOCCER:RAFAEL BENITEZ wants showdown talks with referees' boss Keith Hackett in the wake of Javier Mascherano's controversial red card at Old Trafford.
The Liverpool boss feels his side have been much-maligned after the incident on Sunday and may well become victims of an English FA clean-up campaign - even though Mascherano's dismissal is his club's first of the season.
Benitez, aware that Mascherano has been condemned for his dissent aimed at referee Steve Bennett in the 3-0 defeat by Manchester United, still believes Liverpool need clarification from the man who controls the panel of top-flight referees.
Benitez - although accepting Mascherano made a big mistake to argue with the official - fears an example may be made of the Argentinian midfielder.
The English FA are still reviewing the video of the incident and Bennett's report, which made a point of mentioning the time it took an angry Mascherano to leave the pitch.
A decision on future action is expected shortly, and FA sources say it is likely that Mascherano will be charged with failing to leave the field of play quickly enough.
The FA could instantly increase the player's ban by two extra games out, but then Liverpool would almost certainly demand a personal hearing.
Benitez told liverpoolfc.tv: "I would like to speak to Keith Hackett, because it is important that we find a solution.
"At Liverpool, we respect the game; we respect the rules and we respect the referee - and it is important to remember that Mascherano was the first Liverpool player to be sent off in the league this season."
Liverpool, who have one of the best disciplinary records in the Barclays Premier League, are still fuming over the treatment meted out to striker Fernando Torres during the match - and believe both the striker and Mascherano were asking for protection.
Mascherano, currently in Egypt with the Argentina squad, fears further action following the protracted, angry scenes when he was virtually dragged from the pitch by coaching staff and colleagues.
If he is banned from subsequent games against Arsenal and Blackburn, Liverpool could well demand a personal hearing - which would delay any future ban.
Mascherano would be banned from league games only - starting with Sunday's derby against Everton - but would be able to play in both Champions League quarter-final legs against Arsenal.
Benitez is now keen to enter into a dialogue with Hackett in a bid to find "a solution" to the current problems.
Torres is likely to be fit to play for Spain in tonight's friendly against Italy, despite picking up a number of knocks against United.
Liverpool's top scorer underwent a scan on Monday which revealed several minor injuries to his legs and ribs, but none is thought to be serious enough to keep him out of action.
Meanwhile Sunderland, who gained a first away win of the season last weekend, could be without Carlos Edwards and Kenwyne Jones for Saturday's vital home game against West Ham United if Trinidad and Tobago persuade Fifa they have been improperly denied the use of the players. The duo were scheduled to fly to the Caribbean for a friendly against Jamaica tomorrow but Sunderland manager Roy Keane told Trinidad and Tobago officials they would not be travelling as Jones was recovering from flu and Edwards from a groin strain.
Francisco Maturana, the Soca Warriors coach, appears sceptical about Keane's stance. Trinidad are now believed to be considering asking Fifa to invoke its five-day rule, whereby players are prohibited from playing for, or even training with, their clubs during the five days following an international they were supposed to have participated in.
