KENNY DALGLISH has revealed Liverpool FC will consider appealing Jay Spearing’s red card as their unbeaten run was ended in controversial circumstances.

Clint Dempsey’s goal five minutes from time consigned 10-man Liverpool FC to a 1-0 defeat at Fulham last night.

It was Liverpool’s first defeat in 12 games and leaves them five points adrift of fourth place and a Champions League qualification berth.

The flashpoint of the evening came in the 72nd minute when referee Kevin Friend dismissed Spearing following a strong challenge on Fulham midfielder Mousa Dembele, despite the Liverpool man clearly winning the ball.

And Dalglish has called for officials to state what is deemed an acceptable tackle as he pondered an appeal against the sending-off.

“You need to ask them what their interpretation is,” said the Liverpool manager. “It’s frustrating as no-one ever tells us what the level of acceptance is.

“Jay had no other thought in his mind other than to win the ball. And he did win it.”

Spearing, who was starting in place of the injured Lucas, is now facing a three-match suspension.

And when asked if the midfielder deserved to be red carded, Dalglish added: “I am not a referee. Sometimes they are given, sometimes they aren’t. As long as they are consistent then it isn’t a problem.

“Jay will be upset, obviously. But we’ll have a look and see if it’s worthwhile appealing.

“He has won the ball, he has probably upset the referee for the follow-through. He has won the ball first and it’s not his fault someone else is standing there. Sometimes it results in a red and sometimes you get away with them.

“You can go through every referee decision and find a problem the problem everyone has at the moment is the level of consistency with the interpretation. “If the referees could explain the level of acceptance and what their tolerance level is, then it’s helpful to everyone. We know where we stand.”