Shola Ameobi bemused by red card

Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi has admitted that he was "dumbfounded" by the red card he received in his side's defeat to Liverpool.

The 32-year-old was shown two yellow cards in the space of a matter of seconds after protesting to referee Phil Dowd about the Reds' second goal at Anfield.

Ameobi told the club's official website: "You can't make up the way I was sent off. I still don't know why it happened. I was given a first yellow card for dissent, but for the second one I'm ready to take the restart when the referee has called me back.

"He told me to stop showing dissent, so I told him that I was allowed to plead my case. I asked him 'are you going to send me off for trying to plead my case for my team?' and he said 'yes'.

"I've asked a question and been sent off for that. I'm dumbfounded by it."

Ameobi's contract with the Magpies comes to an end later in the summer.