Gerrard rescues Reds after spot kick fury

(CNN) -- Steven Gerrard salvaged a 1-1 draw after Liverpool were awarded a controversial penalty in time added on to deny Atletico Madrid a win that would have sent them into the next stage of the Champions League.

Maxi Rodriguez's 37th-minute goal looked to have secured the Spaniards' early progression to the knockout phase until the late Group D drama at Anfield.

Gerrard was challenged by Mariano Pernia just inside the area in the final moments of a game that saw Liverpool spurn their chances -- and several debatable decisions by referee Martin Hansson.

England midfielder Gerrard swept his spot-kick into the top right hand corner as Liverpool bounced back from a domestic defeat at Tottenham that cost them the Premier League leadership.

Skipper Gerrard later admitted he had doubts over the validity of the award. "I'm not sure it was a penalty. I got their first and I think if that is outside the area you get a free-kick," he said.

The penalty award sparked huge protests from Atletico and Gerrard admitted he had some sympathy.

"If it happened at the other end we would be livid. That's football. It's a point and we move on," Gerrard told ITV1.

Manager Rafael Benitez, who felt his side should have had at least one penalty earlier in the match for handball, was more sure of the penalty award.

"I think so, watching the replay," was his assessment. "I think it was the linesman who has given the penalty but it is better not to talk too much about the referee."

Marseille claimed a 3-0 win over PSV Eindhoven in the Tuesday's other group game with Mamadou Niang scoring twice and Bakary Kone adding another.

Benitez opted not to risk Fernando Torres at Anfield as the Spain striker recovers from a hamstring injury.

Torres wasn't even on the bench as he missed out on a reunion with his former club, while Atletico boss Javier Aguirre also sprang a surprise by leaving Argentine prodigy Sergio Aguero among his substitutes.

Liverpool nearly had the ball in the net in the first minute when Dirk Kuyt scrambled a close-range effort goalbound following Gerrard's corner but Leo Franco was well placed to grab the ball.

Robbie Keane had the home fans on their feet when he collected a long-range pass from Xabi Alonso before crashing a volley from the edge of the box inches wide of the post.

Keane went close again when he was put through, but Franco got a hand to the ball as the Republic of Ireland striker attempted to dribble round the keeper.

Eight minutes before the break the hosts were stunned as Atletico went ahead against the run of play.

Antonio Lopez was given room down the right and cut the ball inside to Maxi who fired a shot across Jose Reina and into the far corner from inside the area.

Liverpool had a strong shout for a penalty waved away after 50 minutes when Perea looked to have controlled the ball with his hand in the box.

They continued to create plenty of chances, but in the end had to rely on a dubious refereeing decision.

At Marseille, Kone ran onto Hatem Ben Arfa's perfectly weighted pass from the halfway line, beat defender Eric Addo and rounded goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson to slot home the first goal in the 30th minute.

Kone was involved in the second goal in the 63rd when he crossed from the right and Niang finished with a powerful volley from eight yards (meters) after getting past defender Eric Addo.

Ben Arfa set up Marseille's third goal in the 71st with another long pass that found Niang, who sprinted past Jan Kromkamp and hit an angled shot from 15 meters.