Alonso denies 'dive' accusations

Alonso (left) got up to a booking rather than a penalty against Arsenal

Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso insists he did not dive to win a penalty in the FA Cup loss by Arsenal.

Alonso was booked after going down over a Gilberto Silva challenge at 0-0 before the Gunners went on to win 3-1.

"I felt the contact, that is for sure," said Alonso. "People who have watched it on TV have said it was a clear penalty and I felt that on the pitch.

"I was talking to the referee and Gilberto and I said to them there had been contact, that I didn't cheat."

Interview: Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez

He added: "I was trying to play with the ball and I fell down because of that contact - I was not cheating."

Referee Steve Bennett immediately pulled out a yellow card for the Spanish midfielder and was only yards from the incident but Reds boss Rafael Benitez backed up Alonso.

"I felt it was a penalty early on when Xabi Alonso was brought down," said Benitez.

"I was not happy with the yellow card for Alonso, the card was too quick. Sometimes you need to wait before making a decision that quickly.

"There was contact but it was not very clear. And if it is not clear then it should not be a yellow card."