Former ref Graham Poll says Liverpool midfielder Jay Spearing deserved his dismissal in defeat to Fulham.

Spearing's red card had a big influence on the result.

Poll wrote in the Daily Mail: "Kevin Friend was right to dismiss Jay Spearing for his lunging challenge on Moussa Dembele despite the fact the Liverpool man played the ball before catching his opponent.

"Spearing was out of control of his forward movement and the force at which he caught the Fulham forward led Friend to dismiss him for serious foul play.

"The primary concern for a referee is the safety of the players and if a reckless challenge endangers that safety then the player must be sent off.

"Looking at the pictures it is hard to disagree that the challenge was reckless and endangered Dembele's safety. I have long argued that playing the ball does not make a player exempt from disciplinary action; the challenge from Spearing proves that."