ROBERTO MANCINI accused Martin Skrtel and his Liverpool team-mates of getting Mario Balotelli sent off.
The Manchester City striker was handed a second yellow just 18 minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute in yesterday's 1-1 draw at Anfield.
He received his first booking for a foul on Glen Johnson. And the Italian's 83rd-minute dismissal came after a collision with Skrtel.
City boss Mancini pointed the finger at the defender and the Reds players' reaction of surrounding ref Martin Atkinson.
When asked if he felt the Liverpool centre-back made too much of the incident, Mancini said: "I think so. There are a lot of situations like this in the Premier League in every game.
"Mario just moved his arm and Skrtel was like a youngster. I don't think it was good.
"The referee gave the free-kick but didn't want to give the yellow card.
"He didn't want to do anything but all the Liverpool players were going 'yellow card, yellow card' � that's my opinion.
"It was difficult to see at first but I have seen it now and for me it's nothing.
"The second yellow card was not correct and the ref did not want to give it but every time Mario does something, many players provoke him."
Kop boss Kenny Dalglish reckoned controversial hotshot Balotelli only had himself to blame for his latest run-in with authority � this was his third red card as a City player.
Dalglish said: "I think Balotelli got himself sent off.
"His actions spoke louder than anyone else's. Sometimes you have to look in the mirror and you will get the answer.
"Sometimes he doesn't help himself, other times maybe he doesn't get as much leeway as someone else gets.
Source: thesun.co.uk
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