Hull manager Phil Brown had “no complaints” with the decision afterwards, but Folan insists he didn’t mean to cause the Liverpool centre-back any intentional harm.

“I was trying to get past the defender but he got in front of me and was trying to obstruct me,” said Folan. “He was making it hard for myself and I don’t know whether the referee pulled me for the use of my arm or my foot towards the end. I don’t know whether he thought I purposely meant to kick him but I didn’t intentionally kick him. I didn’t intentionally mean to swing out with my hands or my foot.

“It was more a frustration thing. He played it quite cleverly and has made the most of it as well. I didn’t feel I made contact with him but the referee didn’t explain what it was for.

“There is a monitor on the way up the tunnel and I had a quick look. I didn’t really know what to make of it. It was kind of in the moment. I did swing my leg but what I am trying to say is that I didn’t mean to kick him. It was more kicking out in frustration but the referee obviously hasn’t taken it like that.”

Hull were unhappy with the award of the free-kick that led to Liverpool’s first goal from Xabi Alonso, when Javier Mascherano went to ground under the weight of a challenge from George Boateng.

And Tigers manager Brown said: “Sometimes you look at your quality and know you are up against it and it is not really a level playing field. Liverpool against Arsenal on Tuesday was top quality so we knew how good the team we were coming up against are.

“You need everything to go for you in a situation like that and it did not happen. A piece of ill discipline and rub of the green has cost us. A decision went against us and that had a big bearing on the result.”