Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has complimented the refereeing of Mark Clattenburg after the match official opted not to send the Brazilian off in the Red's 3-1 win over Chelsea on Saturday.

Lucas was arguably lucky to escape being handed a second yellow card by Calttenburg for a cynical foul on Ramires midway through the second half.

"It [Clattenburg decision] will probably be talked about. It's normal, especially when you lose a game," Lucas told Liverpool TV.

"Sometimes in my position you make fouls, more to stop the game. I think it was a good decision from the referee, he controlled the game very well.

"Other situations as well with the Chelsea players he dealt [with] really well.

"I think it was a fair game. People will say this could change this game. In the end we were the better team."