LIVERPOOL, England — Sir Alex Ferguson said he surprisingly kept Wayne Rooney out of his starting lineup against Liverpool on Saturday because the striker is “devastated” at his recent international suspension.

Danny Welbeck was named as the man to lead United’s line while his more celebrated England teammate, who learned Thursday he will play no part in the Euro 2012 group stages, was benched at Anfield.

“Wayne Rooney’s had a bad week,” Ferguson explained before the 1-1 draw. “He was devastated at the suspension. I just felt he’d be better starting on the bench.”

Javier Hernandez and Nani were also among the substitutes as Ferguson shuffled his pack for a league fixture he had failed to win in the past three meetings.

Rooney did make it onto the field, along with Nani in the 69th minute, seconds after Steven Gerrard’s free-kick gave Liverpool a 1-0 lead.

But it was his strike partner Hernandez, brought on seven minutes later, who rescued a point for United with an 81st-minute header to ensure Everton fan Rooney’s week did not end in more misery.

The entertaining contest also left LeBron James impressed from the directors’ box.

The NBA superstar, making his first visit to Anfield since becoming a Liverpool shareholder, tweeted, “Wow what a great game from both teams! Unbelievable experience.”