Ref Watch: Rooney, Ibra Lucky?

Dermot Gallagher gives his verdict on the controversial incidents from an action-packed clash at Old Trafford.

MATCH: Manchester United 1-1 Liverpool, Premier League

INCIDENT: Zlatan Ibrahimovic equalises for Manchester United

SCENARIO: Antonio Valencia takes a quick throw and then receives a quick pass back but looks offside. However, the linesman doesn't see it as he's at an impossible angle. The play develops and Ibrahimovic scores.

DERMOT'S VERDICT: Offside - but has sympathy for linesman

DERMOT SAYS: Valencia takes a quick throw and the linesman has to step quickly out of the way to avoid getting struck with the ball. Then as the play develops quickly, he's not in a position to see the offside. It's unfortunate as by the time he's back into position, the ball had been crossed.

INCIDENT: Referee Mike Jones penalises Paul Pogba for handball and awards Liverpool a penalty

SCENARIO: A corner comes in from the left and Pogba is, arguably, blocked off, which leaves him struggling to keep tabs with Dejan Lovren, who he's supposed to be marking. He clumsily throws his hands into the air and the ball hits them.

DERMOT'S VERDICT: Correct call

DERMOT SAYS: If you're going to give a penalty, this is one of the easy ones. For whatever reason, Pogba has panicked - he got in the wrong position. He's gone to punch the ball - badly.

INCIDENT: Both Roberto Firmino and Ander Herrera are booked after an altercation

SCENARIO: With the game heading towards stoppage time, Firmino sparks a counter attack through the middle of the pitch, which has United on the back-foot and outnumbered. Herrera grabs hold of his shirt to stop the attack and Firmino reacts by pushing him in the chest.

DERMOT'S VERDICT: Correct call

DERMOT SAYS: It's really cynical from Herrera and it's upset Firmino. He's reacted aggressively and angrily - but he hasn't hit him in the face. The new directives are interesting about the line between being aggressive and being violent. Firmino hasn't been violent. They both quite rightly picked up yellow cards. I thought the referee was excellent.

INCIDENT: Wayne Rooney fouls James Milner, who stays down hurt

SCENARIO: Rooney rakes his studs down Milner's lower shin but although a foul is given, Rooney escapes any further punishment.

DERMOT'S VERDICT: Yellow card

DERMOT SAYS: It's not a nice tackle. However, it's a low one and that convinced the referee that it's just a foul. When you look at the replays, it's a foul and a yellow card. It wasn't like the ones we've seen recently where players studs are up and going into the shin. It was mistimed. That's what saved Rooney.

Credit: Skysports.com