SAM Allardyce accused the referee of missing two reckless challenges by Liverpool players at the Reebok as a war of words broke out between the managers and players.

The Bolton boss claimed North-east official Mark Clattenburg, missed a stamping incident when Steven Gerrard stood on Kevin Nolan's chest as he lay on the ground in a fiery encounter which ended 2-2 on Monday.

Both Gerrard and his manager Rafel Benitez refuted the claim saying it was an accident, before the Liverpool boss hit out at Wanderers "spoiling tactics". Allardyce also complained of Momo Sissoko's tackle on El-Hadji Diouf, that Nolan was denied a first half penalty when he was brought down by Jamie Carragher and that an incorrect offside decision robbed Stelios of the chance to put the Whites 3-1 up, just moments before Luis Garcia's equaliser.

"People talk about us being tough but we don't go over the top," he said. "But Gerrard stamped on Nolan and Sissoko stamped on Dioufy, and that's clear to see."

The Liverpool skipper vehemently denied the accusation.

Gerrard said: "I'm very surprised he is trying to make an issue out of it. It was a complete accident - he fell into me. I am mates with Kevin Nolan. He's a good Scouser so why should I deliberatley want to hurt him?"