Liverpool’s Shelvey apologises for ranting at Ferguson

- Adapted from Daily Mail

Jonjo Shelvey aimed an angry rant at Sir Alex Ferguson after being sent off in Liverpool's clash with Manchester United and then took to Twitter to apologise.

The Liverpool midfielder was dismissed in the first half for a rough challenge on United defender Jonny Evans.

Shelvey tweeted after the game: “I apologise to the fans for getting sent off but no way was I pulling out of that tackle in a game of that importance. I'm sorry.

“I have also apologised to Sir Alex, just where I come from people don't grass people up to get someone sent off.”

The tweet referring to Ferguson was later deleted by Shelvey, believed to be at the request of his club.

Shelvey, born in Romford and signed by Liverpool from Charlton in 2010, went in hard on Evans in a 50-50 tackle midway in the United half and was eventually sent off by referee Mark Halsey.

The Reds man was not happy with the decision and he was involved in spats with United players after being shown the red card.

As he left the Anfield pitch, the 20-year-old had a heated exchange with Ferguson on the sidelines.

Shelvey jabbed his finger in the direction of the United manager, who returned with some words of his own.

As Shelvey was guided down the tunnel by security, Ferguson was filmed smiling to himself. He will now be banned for three matches unless Liverpool decide to appeal his red card.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers predictably had a different view of the red card decision, and was unhappy with the award of the late penalty while also feeling the hosts were unlucky not to get one of their own.

“I thought the players were heroic in terms of performance and the spirit,” he said. 'They were brilliant and didn't get what they deserved.

“If Shelvey gets sent off for having both feet off the ground then Evans has to get sent off for that as well if you watch the replays.

“Jonjo is coming in from the side, it is a tackle the player has to go for and one the United player has to go for but the Liverpool player can't get sent off and the United one stay on the field.”