For Rafa Benitez, frustration with officials has given way to public discontent with his side.
Benitez had more reason to bemoan poor refereeing here than against Chelsea last weekend. On Sunday it was inconsequential. This time it was pivotal.
The decision of Andre Marriner to penal-ise Jerzy Dudek's clumsy but unobstructive challenge on Darren Bent transformed a one-sided contest and handed Charlton the platform for victory.
Bent admitted to Jamie Carragher there was no contact, while the likeable Alan Curbishley said the award was 'lucky'.
Rather than linger on the decision, Benitez was more frustrated with the four minutes which followed the contentious penalty.
It wasn't the decision itself which cost Liverpool this game. It was Liverpool's reaction to it which had a damning impact on their composure and form.
The rattled visitors wasted so much energy cursing their injustice they forgot to play football, conceding a sloppy second to Luke Young which diminished their chances of a comeback.
"Ridiculous" and "unbelievable" were two of the more charitable descriptions offered by the Liverpool boss. "Unprofessional" would be another.
Liverpool did everything right for 41 minutes. Except the obvious.
