STAND-in Liverpool manager Phil Thompson was involved in an astonishing touchline bust-up with Sunderland Swiss international full back Bernt Haas after the Reds' ten-man 1-0 victory at Anfield.

Liverpool had former Newcastle midfielder Dietmar Hamann sent off in the 44th minute after a double-footed challenged which left Haas writhing on the ground - but the home fans thought the defender had a meal of it.

The home side hung on for a victory despite playing a man short for all the second half, and Thompson then confronted Haas as the players made for the tunnel after the final whistle.

Thompson admitted: "Passions were running high and I felt sorry for Dietmar because we will be losing him now for a few matches.

"It was emotional - it was difficult and I was trying to rally the troops.

"I just got carried away and I apologise for that.

"I will see him later and I will apologise to him."

Thompson, in charge during the absence of French manager Gerard Houllier who is recovering from heart surgery - added: "I was not too happy with the sending off and I will have to have it clarified that every two -footed tackle is not necessarily a sending off offence.

"That needs to be sorted out by the people in charge, the referees or the Referees' Association.

"I have seen the incident again on TV. It was a two-footed tackle and I'm not going to argue with that, but his foot made complete contact with the ball.

"If there was any contact with the player it was minimal and there was no intention to damage anyone.

"His eyes were on the ball and it was harsh in that respect. He was very unfortunate to be sent off."

Sunderland manager Peter Reid, who insisted Haas had not taken a dive, said: "You don't want people sent off but from where I was it looked a bit of a lunge. The ref was closest and he decided he had to go."

Reid admitted: "We were not good enough."

The large contingent of Sunderland fans must have thought that the extra man would be enough to give Sunderland a fighting chance of at least a point against the Premiership leaders.

But Liverpool made an astute substitution replacing striker Robbie Fowler with midfielder Gary McAllister.

The tactical change worked superbly and paid handsome dividends as Reid's men failed to create a clear-cut chance in the second half.

Reid, back in his native Merseyside, said: "We were supposed to have an advantage when Liverpool had a man sent off but we didn't take it.

"They sat back defensively and made it difficult, but we did not have enough quality to break them down.

"Liverpool always looked dangerous on the break and McAllister had a great chance."

Reid added: "Liverpool are a very good side and when they went a man down they played deep and we just did not have the quality to break them down.

"We were also very disappointed to give a goal away from a dead ball situation.

"But overall we didn't have the quality to break them down and the players are not happy about it. It is always disappointing when you get beaten."

He added: "It is always difficult when you are playing a team which has been reduced to ten men.

"It happened at Middlesbrough this season and we should take advantage."

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