JAVIER MASCHERANO today admitted he remains at a loss as to why he was sent off against Manchester United during Liverpool's 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford.

Goals from Wes Brown, Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani brought Liverpool's seven-game winning run to an abrupt end but the big talking point was the dismissal of Mascherano after he received two yellow cards.

Referee Steve Bennett had already booked the Argentinian for a foul when Mascherano approached the official after Fernando Torres had also been booked.

Television replays appeared to show Mascherano was asking Bennett "what's happening", only for the referee to issue him with a second yellow card for dissent.

Mascherano was left distraught by the controversial dismissal which left Liverpool with ten men for 46 minutes and he today apologised to his team-mates.

He said: "I do not know why I was sent off.

"I asked the referee what was happening. I did not swear, I was not aggressive and I did not confront him.

"All I did was ask him what was happening, nothing else.

"So when he showed me the second yellow card and sent me off I could not believe it.

"I am sorry to my team-mates because that meant we went down to ten men and that made things even more difficult for us."

Mascherano flew to Egypt to join up with the Argentina national squad straight after the game and he will now be banned for the forthcoming Merseyside derby.

The Football Association is also expected to study Bennett's post-match report before deciding if Mascherano's refusal to leave the pitch immediately after his dismissal should result in further disciplinary action.