Press Association report

Barnsley looked set to face an FA inquiry into Saturday's stormy mass Premiership defeat by Liverpool at Oakwell which was marred by a series of pitch invasions and three sendings off.

Referee Gary Willard had to be led off the pitch halfway through the second half for his own protection after one fan ran on in an attempt to confront him and was only removed after a number of Barnsley players, led by Jan Aage Fjortoft wrested him to the ground.

Liverpool captain Paul Ince took the same action on another fan shortly before the end after Darren Sheridan became the third Barnsley player to receive a red card in the stormy encounter.

But quite apart from their problems off the pitch, today's defeat was a major setback to Barnsley's hopes of lifting themselves away from the relegation battle and they will now miss the services of Sheridan, Darren Barnard and Chris Morgan when their suspensions begin for today's dismissals.

The trouble began when Barnard was given the red card for tripping Michael Owen as he ran through onto a Steve McManaman through ball just after half time.

Twelve minutes later Morgan was also given his marching orders after tussling with Owen who collapsed clutching his face and after Willard produced the red card it took several minutes to restore order following one fan's attempt to manhandle the official.

He ran 35 yards before being intercepted by various Barnsley players and a steward promptly took Willard off the pitch for five minutes for his own safety.

The controversial event followed a pulsating first half with Barnsley taking a 37th minute lead to captain Neil Redfearn only for Karlheinz Riedle to equalise from close range just before the interval.

Riedle took advantage of Barnsley being a man short by firing a 30-yard drive straight into the top corner on the hour and once Morgan also got his marching orders, Liverpool's victory seemed assured.

But the imaginative substitution of Georgi Hristov replacing Clint Marcelle almost snatched an unlikely draw for Barnsley.

Hristov, who twice went close within minutes of coming on, closed down Phil Babb with five minutes remaining who fell over inside the box and appeared to handle the ball.

Referee Willard waved away appeals for a penalty but Hristov, attempting to reach the by-line, was then tripped by Babb and Willard had no option but to point to the penalty spot.

Redfearn coolly sent goalkeeper Brad Friedel the wrong way to equalise before further controversy erupted in the final moment.

Liverpool were awarded a free kick on the left hand side of the box and McManaman broke free to slip the ball past David Watson for the winger.

More trouble between the players followed with Sheridan sent off for arguing his point with Willard before the restart.

It prompted further pitch invasions and Ince rugby tackled one fan while the police were forced to line the touchline to deter any further trouble.

Several fans were also removed from the stand behind the goal after trouble broke out and when Willard blew the final whistle he was escorted off by a number of stewards to prevent further confrontations with Barnsley's angry fans.

Teams:

Barnsley: Watson, Eaden, Appleby, Sheridan, Redfearn, Marcelle (Hristov 76), Bullock (Bosancic 54), Jones, Barnard, Morgan, Fjortoft (Liddell 73).

Subs Not Used: Leese, McClare.

Sent Off: Sheridan (90), Barnard (53), Morgan (65).

Booked: Sheridan, Bosancic.

Goals: Redfearn 37, 85 pen.

Liverpool: Friedel, Jones, Babb, McManaman, Leonhardsen (Murphy 85), Redknapp, Harkness, Riedle, Ince, Owen, Matteo.

Subs Not Used: James, Kvarme, Bjornebye, Carragher.

Booked: Babb, Matteo.

Goals: Riedle 44, 59, McManaman 90.

Att: 18,684

Ref: G S Willard (Worthing).

Copyright - Press Association