Premier League - Benitez: Ferguson is 'scared'

Eurosport - Sun, 11 Jan 16:57:00 2009

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has attacked Alex Ferguson again - saying the Manchester United boss is "scared" of Liverpool's title challenge.

FOOTBALL - Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez and Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson - 0

The Spaniard on Friday accused Ferguson of being able to get away with attacking referees.

A day after his table-topping Liverpool side stuttered with a 0-0 draw at Stoke and ahead of the clash between United and Chelsea, Benitez said many other people feel the same way.

"For 20 years nobody could say these things, but maybe a lot of people are thinking the same as me. I do not regret saying it," Benitez said.

"I can guarantee a lot of people have sent a lot of messages, not to me but to our staff and a lot of people in Liverpool. It is one person saying what everyone wants to say.

"But I was not thinking about what people think, I was thinking about my club and Mister Ferguson's comments on Liverpool this season. You can understand why.

"I have known him for five years now and people are saying he is playing mind games. I think it is too early (for that).

"He is talking too much about Liverpool. He has to think about his own team, the problems they have and all the things they are doing."

Asked if he thought Ferguson was nervous, Benitez responded: "Clearly", before adding: "Maybe he is a little bit scared."

A draw at Old Trafford on Sunday would suit Benitez, who will watch the match from the comfort of his armchair after his team went four points clear of Chelsea.

United are fourth, eight points in arrears of Liverpool but with three games in hand.

"I cannot change the game so I will stay at home, watch it on television and enjoy it," he said. "It is clear both cannot win. We will see what happens. A draw could be a perfect result."

TeamTalk / Eurosport

Comment 199 - 218 of 258

Sort comments by: Most recent

  1. sir alex scared...don't think so.

    From David, on Sun 11 Jan 5:58PM

  2. SCARED MY BACKSIDE.

    From L H, on Sun 11 Jan 5:52PM

  3. Who's playing mind games now! Rafa is the student, Fergusson the Master. Anyway, I've never liked Rafa's coaching ways, even if he has won a couple trophies.

    From Patrick F, on Sun 11 Jan 5:19PM

  4. 217

    rafa is right to lash out on fregi

    'he is the only maniger that can talk about refs and the ficsger lit and nothing happens

    From david.khanna, on Sun 11 Jan 5:01PM

  5. Rafa shut you fcukin kisser,pick proper teams,ie not the idiot Lucas,and lets play football,because we are boring the @#$% out of everyone at the moment.
    Title challenge is disentegrating.

    From MICHAEL M, on Sun 11 Jan 4:07PM

  6. TRUTH BE TOLD: Rafa Benitez spoke the mind of EVERY other Manager in the Premiership, people respect Sir Alex Ferguson a lot (so do I, no problem with that), but when he (Ferguson) starts to think he's untouchable or a "God Father of the Premiership", then there's a problem, besides, the whole Fear/Respect factor gives him and Manchester United the edge over other clubs. If 4-5 more Managers could add voices to Rafa's crusade, not only would he and Manchester United be shaken, it would make the premiership an open competition!....and that is what every premiership loving fan wants to see.

    From Bimbola, on Sun 11 Jan 4:07PM

  7. Post 213 tyson
    I agree with you for a change but then Benitez is an honest man and leaves referee alone!

    From Nicholas, on Sun 11 Jan 4:00PM

  8. HAS RAFA DONE WHAT SIR ALEX HAS DONE ? ((NO)) SAY NO MORE, NOW LET'S STUFF CHEL

    From I TYSON, on Sun 11 Jan 3:56PM

  9. hope your tele blows up,just like your team will.

    From Christopher, on Sun 11 Jan 3:55PM

  10. dave k post207
    Was Ronaldo really accused of Rape?

    From Nicholas, on Sun 11 Jan 3:40PM

  11. rafa just scared cos utd are closing in!!!!!!!!!

    From derktray, on Sun 11 Jan 3:38PM

  12. LETS JUST WAIT TILL THE LAST GAME LAST KICK WHO WILL B TOP AND I BET IT WONT B LIVERPOOL

    From ALAN B, on Sun 11 Jan 3:38PM

  13. Benitez is a terrible manager just look at his lowly league position.lol

    From Nicholas, on Sun 11 Jan 3:36PM

  14. how can wilcox46 say gerrard is a thug the only thug is the DJ who provoked him I am a professional DJ in clubs and would never wind up a man ure player even though im a Red
    its totally unprofessional of any DJ to do anything like that so he deserves a smacking but i can tell you 99% im sure Stevie G didnt lay a finger on him
    if your name calling remember noot long ago Ronaldo was accused of Rape
    I rest my case

    From DJ DAVE, on Sun 11 Jan 3:35PM

  15. Am I alone in feeling that there is something rather sinister and unholy about manchester united football club with a creepy manager and a collection of Cheats,Freaks.Thugs and a crying Ladyboy?

    From Nicholas, on Sun 11 Jan 3:34PM

  16. Rafa, why you are talking about Manu what about Chelsea????????

    From Augustine, on Sun 11 Jan 3:33PM

  17. rafa says what everyone thinks ....doesn't everyone know that?

    From steviecalrow, on Sun 11 Jan 3:33PM

  18. Poor Rafa u er just a looser try to meet up with jose mourinho and he will advice you even him will be at the stadium today

    From Adek, on Sun 11 Jan 3:27PM

  19. Rafa is just trying to impress the yanks he should be trying to get his contract sorted out before he worries about other teams He has a short memory who was it said EVERTON are only a small team he will soon go back into his shell I think the removed part of his brain instead of his Kidney stones

    Who is he trying to kindey

    From Mandy, on Sun 11 Jan 3:18PM

  20. if anyone playing the mind game its beitez and he shouldnt be olaying a thug like gerrard play....any one else in a job would have been sacked......

    From wilcock46, on Sun 11 Jan 3:14PM
Sort comments by: Most recent

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account