Manchester United boss David Moyes lamented the concession of the second penalty, just moments after the second half began, as the key moment in his team's 3-0 defeat to Liverpool at Old Trafford.

Phil Jones barged into Joe Allen and prompted referee Mark Clattenburg to point to the spot for the second time after Rafael's handball gifted Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard the opener from the spot in the first half.

Gerrard had the chance of a hat-trick from the spot but hit the post after Daniel Sturridge went down easily under Nemanja Vidic's challenge and the Serbian was sent off before Luis Suarez's neat finish wrapped up the points. Brendan Rodgers' side are now four points behind leaders Chelsea with a game in hand.

“It was a game littered with penalty kicks and decisions — some were right and some were wrong. It was a tough day for us,” he said. “At half-time we were 1-0 down to a penalty kick, I didn’t think there was much in it. To give away one 20 seconds or so into the second half it made it a real upward climb for us after that.”

When asked if Liverpool were the better side, though, Moyes was blunt, saying: “Yep. They played better than us. Some decisions that went for them, which were important at the right time with the penalty kicks they got. But they earned them at times, but on some occasions they didn’t earn them at all.”

Liverpool’s third penalty was the most contentious when Sturridge appeared to dive under pressure from Vidic, who was handed his second caution. Moyes preferred not to expand on his thoughts about referee Clattenburg’s decision making.

“As you well know it would be better if I don’t talk about them,” he said “That’s up to the authorities.”

Moyes was more forthcoming on whether his side should have been awarded a penalty of their own for handball by Glen Johnson.

“I thought we did,” he said. “It hits his hand. It’s not an awful lot different to the one Rafa had (for Liverpool’s first penalty).”