Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has urged for "consistency" from Premier League referees following the Reds' defeat to Manchester United yesterday.

Match official Mark Halsey came under the spotlight after sending off Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey in the first half following a tackle on United defender Jonny Evans.

Halsey also awarded the visitors a penalty after Glen Johnson brought down Antonio Valencia in the box, which gave the Red Devils a 2-1 victory at Anfield.

"The lads performed really well both with 11 men and after we went down to 10," Gerrard told the Liverpool Echo. "In these big games you need the rub of the green and things to go your way.

"You certainly don't need big refereeing decisions that are wrong going against you. That's what happened and we feel hard done by. I feel for Jonjo a bit. It's a big game and these games are about big tackles.

"I don't think he got the tackle wrong. If his tackle is wrong, then Evans' tackle is wrong as well. That's the consistency we're looking for from referees and Mark Halsey got that one wrong."

Liverpool have only acquired two points from their first five games this season.