LIVERPOOL (AFP) - Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez wants to meet with Premier League referees boss Keith Hackett following the controversial sending-off of Javier Mascherano at Old Trafford.

Mascherano was ordered off the field by Steve Bennett for showing dissent and Benitez, while accepting his player was wrong to argue with the official, fears an excessive example may be made of the Argentina midfielder following the launch of the FA's 'Respect' campaign.

This is designed to improve player behaviour towards officials at all levels. Although Benitez has no problem with the principle, he fears the FA may come under pressure to extend what would normally be a one-game ban to three.

The FA have yet to announce the extent of Mascherano's punishment and the way in which he had to be all but dragged off the field by the Liverpool coaching staff after being sent-off could be used as a justification for a more severe punishment.

Benitez also stressed on Tuesday how Mascherano was the first Liverpool player to be sent-off this season.

Both the Liverpool manager and Mascherano himself have since insisted that all the Argentinian was trying to do was ask why team-mate Fernando Torres, who was also booked, was not receiving greater protection from the referee having been fouled in a match Liverpool went on to lose 3-0.

"I would like to speak to Keith Hackett, because it is important that we find a solution," Benitez told Liverpool's official website.

"At Liverpool, we respect the game; we respect the rules and we respect the referee - and it is important to remember that Mascherano was the first Liverpool player to be sent off in the league this season."

Mascherano, if a one-game ban is imposed, will miss this Sunday's Merseyside derby against Everton.

But any extension, which could rule the player, currently in Egypt with the Argentina squad, out of the games with Arsenal and Blackburn. That would likely trigger a demand for a personal hearing by Liverpool which in itself would delay the imposition of a ban.

Liverpool are currently fourth in the table, just two points ahead of Everton - their closest challenges for the fourth and final English qualifying place for next season's Champions League.