Marouane Fellaini booking was not unexpected, says Phil Jagielka

Jan 12 2009 by Nick Smith, Liverpool Daily Post

“But he’s still not getting many breaks from refs, and there was a case for saying it wasn’t even a foul today – but he’s still only as young lad, learning how things work over here.

“He might have to adapt his approach a bit, but you can’t take away the physical side of his game. That’s important for him and for us.

“We bought him for the overall package, and that includes putting his foot in and putting himself about.”

Jagielka added: “Our attitude is that someone will come in and we will go to Anfield determined to do a job. That is how we are.”

The centre-back also defended the decision to keep Fellaini on the field for the second half, as Mikel Arteta’s stunning free-kick on the stroke of half-time appeared to make the three points safe against an impotent Hull outfit.

“Was it a risk keeping him on that long? Don’t forget, it was massively important we won,” said Jagielka.

“It was a case of getting the job done, then worrying about anything else afterwards.

“Maybe another 10 or 15 minutes into the second half and he might have come off, but it was just unfortunate.”

Fellaini did sign off before his suspension with a goal, heading in at the near post form Leighton Baines’s cross in the 18th minute.

“It was high time he came up with a goal,”Jagielka joked.

“I think he’s been closing his eyes for a few headers recently and hoping for the best!

“But he kept them open for that one and it was a great goal.”