And the new Anfield manager also believes Steven Gerrard should not have been sent off as his team lost 1-0 at in their third round clash at Old Trafford yesterday.
Referee Howard Webb awarded United a penalty after just 29 seconds when controversially adjudging Daniel Agger to have felled Dimitar Berbatov.
Ryan Giggs converted the spot kick, and on 32 minutes United's quest was made easier when Gerrard was given a straight red card for a two-footed challenge on Michael Carrick.
But both decisions left Dalglish unhappy as he started his second stint as Liverpool manager with defeat.
“The penalty is a joke,” said the Scot. “I have seen the replay and unless they have changed the rules it is no penalty.
“The other one, I cannot see that as a red card either. In the dressing room before the game someone said to me the game's not changed that much.
“I said 'I thought it was a non-contact sport'. Maybe I was right.
“So anybody who leaves the ground is going to be sent off now are they? Howard Webb stepped away from the player first. He didn't blow instantly. He was going to let play continue.”
Dalglish added: “The two decisions are important factors in the game but if you go into them too much it will take away from the great commitment of the players. It is always a difficult place to come, Manchester United are top of the league and are a fantastic side.
“But, having gone down to 10 men and lost a goal inside the first minute, we showed fantastic courage and fantastic commitment in conjunction with our fantastic supporters who stayed with the team through-out.”
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was, not surprisingly, all in favour of Gerrard's red card.
“It was two-footed,” said Ferguson of the tackle. “I don't think there was any doubt. Steven Gerrard is not that type of player but I don't think he left the referee any option.”
Dalglish, who revealed he was not involved in the preparations for the game before yesterday morning, believes Liverpool deserved better for their efforts.
“Obviously I’m not going to be pleased to lose a match,” he said. “I think the most important thing what we get out of it is great deal of effort and commitment from players – their endeavour and enthusiasm, commitment to the cause was helped and matched by the supporters who came along here.
“If we can get everyone pulling in the right connection we are going to have good chance of improving things going forward.
“Apart from the header against the bar in the last minute, they had very little in the first half apart from the penalty shot. If we can restrict the team that’s top of the league to that, it bodes well for us.”
Fernando Torres was substituted during the final quarter yesterday and Dalglish admits the striker is still short on confidence.
“We could not have got any more out of Fernando in terms of effort and commitment,” said the manager. “He ran himself into the ground there.
“It’s a great sign that he’s determined to get back and silence a few critics he has got.”
Dalglish, who was without the injured Joe Cole, praised Martin Kelly after the youngster stepped in at the last minute when right-back Glen Johnson missed the game after his partner went into labour.
“Young Martin Kelly comes in and he is as good as anyone on the pitch,” said the Scot. “That's great encouragement for him and the youngsters.”
Meanwhile Ryan Babel could face disciplinary action after being caught up in yet another Twitter storm by berating referee Howard Webb.
The official upset Liverpool during their 1-0 FA Cup third round defeat at Manchester United by awarding the home side a controversial early penalty and then sending off visiting skipper Steven Gerrard.
And Babel, who emerged as a substitute on the hour at Old Trafford, was critical of Webb.
Shortly after the final whistle, the Dutchman tweeted: “And they call him one of the best referees. That's a joke.”
To further show his displeasure at the referee's performance, Babel also posted a mocked-up picture of Webb wearing a United shirt.
New Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is likely to take a dim view of Babel's behaviour, whose conduct may also be investigated by the Football Association.
Team-mate Glen Johnson on Saturday used the social networking website to respond to criticism from Paul Merson, a comment that was later removed from the website.
Babel later moved to defuse the situation, and said: "My apology if they take my posted pic seriously. This is just a emotional reaction after losing an important game. Sorry Howard Webb!"
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