STEPHEN Warnock insists referee Alan Wiley "bottled it" by failing to dismiss Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel as Rovers lost at Anfield.

Rovers' European aspirations took a turn for the worse after going down 3-1 to Rafa Benitez's side.

But the game could have swung Blackburn's way when striker Jason Roberts, bursting clear on goal, was hauled down by defender Skrtel.

At the time, Rovers trailed by just one goal and, had the Slovakian been shown a red card, they could have took advantage with an extra man.

However, Wiley flashed only a yellow, much to the disagreement of ex-Reds defender Warnock.

"It was definitely a red card - but he's bottled it," said the left-back, who made his first appearance back at Liverpool since joining Rovers in January 2007.

"Obviously, it's at Anfield and it's a big decision and I personally think he's made the wrong decision.

"Jason was through on goal and there was no other defenders around him.

"I don't see how that was a yellow card.

"It was quite a poor decision - but it's at Anfield and it's a big decision for the referee.

"It's the same at the likes of Old Trafford and places like that.

"It's going to be difficult to get a decision, but I think the referee has got to be big enough to make that decision.

Warnock added: "It's disappointing. We felt we could have come here and got something out of the game.

"But we haven't done ourselves justice and let ourselves down a bit.

"We were controlling things but once they scored, we fell apart a bit and that's something we need to learn from.

"We know we have got the ability to get back into games - we just need to be more patient."