Rafa Benitez

RAFA BENITEZ is to seek talks with referees chief Keith Hackett over the sending off of Javier Mascherano against Manchester United.

Mascherano was today expected to be slapped with a three-match ban by the FA for his refusal to leave the pitch after being dismissed by Steve Bennett.

The Argentinian picked up an automatic one-game ban for the two yellow cards he received on Sunday and he is now likely to be hit with a further two game suspension which would mean as well as missing this weekend’s derby, he would also be ruled out of forthcoming fixtures against Arsenal and Blackburn.

But should Mascherano request a personal hearing, there is a possibility that any such ban would be delayed.

Benitez is now keen to enter into a dialogue with Hackett in a bid to find “a solution” to the problems which occurred at Old Trafford.

He said: “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.”