STEVEN GERRARD has sympathy for winger Daniel Candeias after he was sent off in the Europa League clash with Villarreal.

The Portuguese was shown a controversial second yellow card by referee Matej Jug following an incident with Santiago Caseres late in the first half.

Candeias appeared to do little wrong as Alfredo Morelos and James Tavernier made challenges on the Argentinian midfielder.

Gerrard said: “I feel for Daniel, it was quite harsh. We had three defenders around the Villarreal player, pressing and hunting in packs which is what we want.

“One of the three was guilty of a foul, but I’m not sure any of them was guilty of a yellow card. We feel a little hard done by but it is what it is and we move on.

“I don’t see any unsporting behaviour. I see a foul and I get why they referee gave it but I can’t understand a yellow card. I don’t see, even after it, that my players have done anything wrong.

“We’re analysing the incident now. I’m not sure we can appeal. I’ll speak to our powers that be and see if there’s a situation if we can appeal and then we’ll make a decision if we do or not. But it is what it is.”