Rafael Benitez has emphasized Liverpool’s appetite for a title fight by declaring Manchester United are not “untouchables”.
But the Anfield manager accepts the next fortnight will determine whether his team can challenge the champions during the Premier League run-in.
Arsene Wenger caused a minor stir earlier this week when he declared United as “untouchables” shortly before they moved 15 points clear of his Arsenal side with their ninth successive Premier League victory on Wednesday when beating Fulham 3-0.
That result opened the gap between Sir Alex Ferguson’s men and second-placed Liverpool to five points, which could be stretched even further today with United hosting Blackburn Rovers before Manchester City visit Anfield tomorrow.
Benitez, though, believes United can still be overturned, especially as Liverpool have already beaten the Old Trafford outfit earlier this season.
And asked if United have an aura of ‘untouchables’, the Spaniard said: “I don’t think so. I can only talk about my team. We know they are a good team and we will have to play really well if we want to beat them, but we have won against them once this season already.
“In football now every game is so difficult that anything can happen. They will win more games than the other teams because clearly they are a good side. But to say you cannot beat them, I don’t think so.
“I don’t think there’s a danger teams will be intimidated by United. Everybody knows they are a good team, but it’s the same if a team plays Chelsea, Arsenal or Liverpool.
“When I was talking about facts, one fact is United are good team. I knew they could be winning games and they have very good players. Everybody knows that. When you go to Old Trafford, you know it’s going to be difficult and other teams could be worried about that.”
But the Anfield manager accepts the next fortnight will determine whether his team can challenge the champions during the Premier League run-in.
Arsene Wenger caused a minor stir earlier this week when he declared United as “untouchables” shortly before they moved 15 points clear of his Arsenal side with their ninth successive Premier League victory on Wednesday when beating Fulham 3-0.
That result opened the gap between Sir Alex Ferguson’s men and second-placed Liverpool to five points, which could be stretched even further today with United hosting Blackburn Rovers before Manchester City visit Anfield tomorrow.
Benitez, though, believes United can still be overturned, especially as Liverpool have already beaten the Old Trafford outfit earlier this season.
And asked if United have an aura of ‘untouchables’, the Spaniard said: “I don’t think so. I can only talk about my team. We know they are a good team and we will have to play really well if we want to beat them, but we have won against them once this season already.
“In football now every game is so difficult that anything can happen. They will win more games than the other teams because clearly they are a good side. But to say you cannot beat them, I don’t think so.
“I don’t think there’s a danger teams will be intimidated by United. Everybody knows they are a good team, but it’s the same if a team plays Chelsea, Arsenal or Liverpool.
“When I was talking about facts, one fact is United are good team. I knew they could be winning games and they have very good players. Everybody knows that. When you go to Old Trafford, you know it’s going to be difficult and other teams could be worried about that.”
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