Brendan Rodgers: 'It was a penalty'

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has expressed his belief that the officials were right to award his side a penalty during this afternoon's 2-2 draw with Aston Villa.

Luis Suarez went down under the challenge of Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan at the start of the second half in a highly contentious incident, which allowed Steven Gerrard to equalise from the spot as Liverpool came from two goals down to rescue a point at Anfield.

Rodgers has acknowledged that Villa boss Paul Lambert was likely to view the decision as harsh, but also points out that his side were denied a spot kick earlier in the match when Leandro Bacuna appeared to handle the ball inside the box.

"I thought we should have had a penalty in the first half when Bacuna handles the ball," PA quotes Rodgers as saying.

"The second I thought was a penalty. Luis has taken it up to the keeper and, once he has touched it around him, his body makes contact with Luis. Obviously from Paul's perspective he will think it has been harsh."

Liverpool could drop out of the top four as a result of the draw, depending on whether Everton beat West Bromwich Albion in their game in hand on Monday.