Liverpool slumped to a third defeat in four English Premier League matches when they lost at Charlton on Wednesday. Darren Bent and Luke Young secured Charlton's 2-0 victory in the first-half.

Striker Darren Bent opened the scoring for Charlton with a controversial penalty in the 42nd minute after being fouled by keeper Jerzy Dudek. Liverpool dominated the first half but England defender Luke Young made it 2-0 on the stroke of halftime with a low shot to settle the match postponed from earlier in the season.

"I'm really disappointed with the last five minutes of the first half," Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said after the game.

His counterpart Alan Curbishley agreed, "Liverpool showed why they are the (European) champions in the first half...and we ended the half 2-0 up, that's football sometimes."

Liverpool, who still have a game in hand, are third on 45 points, 21 adrift of leaders Chelsea. Manchester United are second with 51 points.

Source: Xinhua