Mark Lawrenson: Why Liverpool FC Boss Rafa Benitez Must Keep His Mouth Shut

I for once was quite pleased to see Sammy Lee emerge for Liverpool’s Press conference yesterday.

Mainly because the absence of Rafael Benitez ensures he won’t get drawn into any further into the war of words with Sir Alex Ferguson.

Benitez knew the score yesterday. He knew that he would be pressed into a response to the Manchester United manager’s latest verbal volley towards him.

And if recent form was anything to go by, he would probably have found it very difficult to bite his tongue.

And then Fergie gets the evidence he is craving that he is getting to his title rival and Benitez gets more stick for having a go back.

It’s a never-ending cycle and after a while it all gets a bit too ‘my dad’s bigger than your dad’ for my liking.

So the Spaniard was wise to stay away on this occasion.

But when he does next appear in front of the media, the stance must remain. Say nothing.

The best thing to do is to let Ferguson say or do whatever he wants. He always does anyway.

The best reply is to just concentrate on getting the results that continue to put pressure on him.

Which brings us to Arsenal tonight. A win is essential and I draw parallels with the home game against Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Liverpool have to control the tempo of the game and make their opponents hurry.

Give Arsenal time on the ball and they have the players to hurt you and take the sting out of the game.

But get in amongst them and quicken the pace up and then a Real-style collapse could be on the cards.