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 179 - 198 of 258

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  1. "He is talking too much about liverpool"
    Benitez is the 1 who hasnt shut up about united over the last few days and now he is calling ferguson scared... haha dont make me laugh..
    it is clear to every1 dat he is the scared 1 and he is just making a fool of himself..
    by the way rafa its Sir not Mister Ferguson
    ya @#$%

    From nheavey, on Sun 11 Jan 3:14PM

  2. get a life you gang of sad "£$%^&. Its clear that liverpool are CURRENTLY in the driving seat and as for games in hand or points in the bag, i would much rather have the points in the bag. 4points clear is a FACT. 8 points behind is a FACT

    From ajkempez04, on Sun 11 Jan 3:12PM

  3. Do manure supporters think Liverpool should be annoyed with Derby County for taking the gloss of there 2-1 victory at Anfield?
    Can we have a poll please.........

    From Nicholas, on Sun 11 Jan 3:11PM

  4. So Ferguson f*** o** back to Scotland if Rafa has to go back to Spain.

    From Ann, on Sun 11 Jan 3:11PM

  5. If Rafa thinks SAF is scared of him and his team, who have relied on their luck all season long, he must have been in the psychiatric ward!

    From Paperboy, on Sun 11 Jan 3:11PM

  6. I think this is just straight forward idea Rafa is just trying to copy JOSE MOURINHO FORMER CHELSEA MANAGER attitude towards any big team game but sorry as a Manchester united fan i think he needs more orientation and skills from the originator before he can be perfect in winning games off field sir Alex is known for making statements about the big 4 teams every year so why the stress he is giving himself or else he knows his days as the top team on the premier league is number becos he have not be winning games as he have been dreaming it to turn out to be so pls try to advice him to take it easy with himself.Fergie is still the most experienced Manager on that league today Rafa should save his breath he needs to grow up and stop behaving as a baby.ask from Arsenal team last season they were on top for a long time and Chelsea was even below the first 6 teams but what happened after so stop all ur child's play and think about another way forward than to critised ur fellow Manager this goes to every one not Rafa alone.

    From Adek, on Sun 11 Jan 3:10PM

  7. Ferguson = Moggi

    From marcoa, on Sun 11 Jan 3:04PM

  8. the mind games have begun: and fergie is already 2-0 up! rafa, you not smart enough to take fergie on..... trying to get a pack of wolves at utd door is your only options and it will not work.... face it united are just plain and simply a better team.

    all the big boys get decisions their way homes games. bloody gerrard is always diving and nothing is done about that....

    wenger is a moaner

    to say fergie never gets punished is absurd. her has had numerous fines, but he will not be silenced, and i do not blame him as the the media, fa, and the PL want a new champion other than utd or chelski....

    From lee, on Sun 11 Jan 3:04PM

  9. fergie scared? your havin a laugh arnt you? benitez is about to crumble, united have the games in hand, ps im an arsenal fan and hate utd with a passion but fergie aint scared

    From Danny, on Sun 11 Jan 3:02PM

  10. I think sir Ferguson deserves respect and should addressed with one.Benitez in his statement without doubt is really scared.he was very unstable and was red all.
    We just have to wait and see how it ends cause i know that Liverpool will never lift the trophy at the end.

    From elton, on Sun 11 Jan 3:00PM

  11. the mind games have begun: and fergie is already 2-0 up! rafa, you not smart enough to take fergie on..... trying to get a pack of wolves at utd door is your only options and it will not work.... face it united are just plain and simply a better team.

    all the big boys get decisions their way homes games. bloody gerrard is always diving and nothing is done about that....

    wenger is a moaner

    to say fergie never gets punished is absurd. her has had numerous fines, but he will not be silenced, and i do not blame him as the the media, fa, and the PL want a new champion other than utd or chelski....

    From lee, on Sun 11 Jan 2:59PM

  12. I hope if Portsmouth go down this season then Tottenham come with us Chimer

    From Michael, on Sun 11 Jan 2:59PM

  13. yea geo_clayton and how many times have liverpool won the title since it became the premier league?

    From pond.simba, on Sun 11 Jan 2:58PM

  14. itll be nice for a team like liverpool or arsnal to win the title by playing football and not like a certain 2 other team by buying it!

    From Ragnorok, on Sun 11 Jan 2:57PM

  15. Rafa just been to hospital for some kidney stone or something, I believe the Doctors put wrong? Injectionto him !!!! ha ha ha.......

    From sinnasugu, on Sun 11 Jan 2:55PM

  16. Liverpool 18 league titles and 5 European Cups, enough said :)

    From Barcelona 2 0 Manchester United, on Sun 11 Jan 2:55PM

  17. Step aside man ure your time is up, your a spent force, watch the real red army at work. YNWA..

    From Bike 69, mabaho ka !, on Sun 11 Jan 2:53PM

  18. GAMES IN HAND IS NOT POINTS BUT THEY GOT A FEW QUID FROM THERE TOUR DIDNT THEY BECAUSE THEY ARE MORE THAN JUST A FOOTBALL CLUB AND WILL SOON BE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF GAMES THEY HAVE TO PLAY
    With EDAURDO waiting on the wings dont write of the GOONERS FOR SOME TIME YET
    watch that RONALDO DIVINGALL OVERTHE PLACE TODAY TRYING TO GET A PENALTY OR FREE KICK WHAT A LITTLE CHEAT THIS MAN IS

    From pete4jaz, on Sun 11 Jan 2:50PM

  19. i think every neutral agrees with rafa, of course united fans are guna stick up for him as would any loyal fan but if fergie robbed a bank hed just get a 2 game touch line ban!

    From Ragnorok, on Sun 11 Jan 2:45PM

  20. i'm not a liverpool fan or a man utd fan, but these comments suggest its Rafa whos scared. If utd win today, they go top -if- they win their 2 games at hand.

    Whilst i dont wish for it to happen, i see Liverpool as finishing 3rd.

    From ali k, on Sun 11 Jan 2:39PM
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