Mario Balotelli incident leaves Brendan Rodgers fuming after Liverpool's FA Cup exit to Aston Villa

Italian striker saw goal chalked off for offside

Brendan Rodgers talks with Mario Balotelli during the FA Cup semi-final (GETTY IMAGES)

Brendan Rodgers has expressed his anger at the decision to rule Mario Balotelli's late effort against Aston Villa offside when replays showed the Italian striker was not.

Had the goal stood it would have brought the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley level, however the score remained 2-1 and saw Liverpool exit the competition.

"It was very clear," said the Liverpool manager. "It was a very poor decision by the official because he's looking right across the line. He should be able to see that the full-back's keeping him at least a yard onside.

"It was a terrific ball in, he's got a good touch so he's in on goal and, like you say, he took it through and finished it, so you need that to go for you."

Despite frustration at that particular moment, Rodgers admitted his side had been second best to Aston Villa, who advance to the final where they will play Arsenal.

"We were very disappointing. I thought Aston Villa were much better than us today and that's the overriding feeling after the game," he said.

"We didn't play today, we looked very nervous for some reason. We're a team that's built on passing and playing it quickly but we were very disappointing in that aspect and they were much better than us."