Collymore Believes Rafa Rant Will Work Against Liverpool

During his pomp as a player Stan Collymore was one of the most efficient attackers in the English football; boasting a 1:2 goals to games ration at Southend, Nottingham Forest, and Liverpool.

At the Reds he struck a formidable partnership with much-loved Liverpudlian Robbie Fowler, and even helped oust goalscoring legend Ian Rush.

The 37-year old believes his former club could be heading for trouble following Rafa Benitez's recent comments to the press regarding "facts" concerning Sir Alex Ferguson.

The thrice-capped England international is worried about the timing of the remarks, and told British tabloid the Mirror:


"I fear Rafa Benitez’s rant at Sir Alex Ferguson could backfire badly and unwittingly inspire Manchester United to the Premier League crown.

"The timing of Benitez’s broadside has stunned me even though the Liverpool manager was absolutely spot on in everything he said about Ferguson.

"Everyone in football knows Benitez’s United counterpart has been at it for years intimidating referees and opponents," he said.

"The ruthless Scot has seen off Arsene Wenger as a threat and Jose Mourinho.

"So it was refreshing for a rival manager to come out and be so forthright about Ferguson’s recent gripe at the fixtures. But I firmly believe Benitez should have done it when there are maybe five or six games left.

"Don’t do it with half of the season remaining with Manchester United full of experienced players who are more than happy to rub Liverpool’s noses in it."

He continued: "United have plenty to motivate them now and Benitez’s attack may have backfired as the spotlight on Liverpool is even more intense now.

"My old club hammered Newcastle in their previous League game but their team which drew 0-0 at Stoke looked completely different as the league leaders were edgy and nervous.

"I think Rafa would have been advised to keep his powder dry until nearer the run-in rather than risk inciting one of the most experienced sides in Europe."

Liverpool currently top the league and are four points ahead of Chelsea, and five ahead of Manchester United. If the Red Devils win both of their games in hand though, they would overtake the Merseysiders.

Albert Riera: Liverpool Will Compete For Every Single Point In Every Game

Albert Riera has revealed how the sheer look of disappointment on his team mates’ faces following Saturday’s goalless draw at Stoke fired his belief that this could be Liverpool’s season.

Liverpool failed to break down a stubborn and resilient Stoke side for the second time in five months with Steven Gerrard coming closest to breaking the deadlock for the Reds when he hit the woodwork twice during the closing stages of the game.

Riera is in no doubt that the Reds have the character to respond to the setback in the right way and has vowed to remember the feeling of dejection he felt at the final whistle as a spur for the rest of the campaign.

“Saturday showed me the character of the team,” said the left winger.

“When I walked into the dressing room after the game everyone was devastated that we had only drawn a difficult away game.

“Stoke have a very good record at home and lots of teams have struggled to beat them at the Britannia Stadium but we are top of the league and we had hoped to go there and win.

“But we will remember this feeling and we will give everything for it not to happen again.”

Riera believes the old adage about there being no easy games is ringing truer than ever and points to a game in his native Spain as evidence.

“Last night I watched Barcelona, who are top of La Liga, play against Osasuna, who are bottom.

“Everyone expected Barcelona to win comfortably but with ten minutes remaining they were losing by two goals to one.

“They ended up scoring two goals in the last ten minutes to win the game but it was a much tougher match for them than expected.

“This is the way football is – you can never take victories for granted because every team can be a danger.

"You have to work for every point.

“But I can tell our fans that we will compete for every single point in every game that we play.”

Meanwhile, Xabi Alonso and Daniel Agger, who both missed the trip to the Britannia through injury, are hoping to be fit for the Merseyside derby at Anfield a week today.

Fernando Torres Proud Of FIFA Third Spot

Proud Fernando Torres took third place in the FIFA’s world player of the year awards last night.

The Liverpool striker, who finished behind winner Cristiano Ronaldo and runner-up Lionel Messi of Barcelona was honoured to be placed ahead of Kaka, who was fourth, and Xavi, who was fifth. Torres said: “Ronaldo and Messi are for sure the two best players in the world and to come next to them is a privilege.

“The very fact of being here is a reason to be proud to represent my club and my country. It’s a matter of pride to have two Spaniards amongst this group,” he added.

Anfield team-mate Steven Gerrard was sixth. Ronaldo was the first Premier League player to win the award and Frank Lampard was 12th, Didier Drogba 13th, Michael Ballack 14th, Cesc Fabregas 15th, Emmanuel Adebayor 17th and John Terry 21st.

Rafa Benitez At War Again - This Time With Liverpool Owners

Rafa Benitez is on another collision course - this time with Liverpool's owners.

Following his rant at Sir Alex Ferguson, the Anfield manager is embroiled in a bitter power struggle that is jeopardising contract talks aimed at keeping him at the club for the next five years.

He has agreed in principle to a new £5million-a-year deal that will take him through to the end of the 2013 season.

But the one major sticking point is Benitez's insistence that he has complete control over all transfer dealings.

At present, Liverpool - like most Premier League clubs - allow their chief executive to have an input.

But Benitez has been angered by what he sees as dithering in the past, which he blamed for missing out on players.

The Anfield boss was also very unhappy at failing to land Gareth Barry, his No.1 target in the summer.

Talks with Liverpool's US owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks proceeded quickly over terms, but there is now an impasse on transfer policy.

Speaking about the lack of progress in negotiations, Benitez said: "My agent has not yet received any documents and is a little disappointed. I was talking with him and he didn't have any news, so he's not very happy."

Torres - United Are Favourites

Liverpool star Fernando Torres believes Manchester United are favourites to win the title this season.

The Reds currently sit at the top of the table, but United enhanced their championship credentials with a 3-0 demolition of Chelsea last weekend.

United can move above Liverpool in the table if they win their two games this week against Wigan and Bolton and Torres accepts their arch-rivals are now in the driving seat.

"They're the clear favourites to win the title," said Torres. "We're working hard to compete with them and finish above them and we're on course to achieve that.

"We know it's possible for us to win this season but we have to fight to the very end to do so.

"It's obvious that we know all about them. They are the champions of Europe and the world.

"We know the class they have in their team. They have some of the best players in the world."

Torres, who finished third to United star Cristiano Ronaldo in the Fifa World Player of the Year award on Monday, admits the showdown between the two clubs at Old Trafford on 14th March could prove to be a title decider.

"I think the game at Old Trafford will decide the title," noted Torres. "If everything goes as we expect then we will go there in a similar position to now.

"We will have to play our game to try and get a result in a ground, which in the last few years has not been good for Liverpool.

Torres refused to get involved in the war of words between Reds boss Rafa Benitez and United chief Sir Alex Ferguson following the Spaniard's outspoken attack on the Scot last week.

Torres added: "The managers make remarks. They have their reasons for that but I won't be looking at them."

Sir Alex Ferguson And Rafael Benitez To Receive Soft Treatment From FA

The Football Association decided on Monday against taking any disciplinary action over Rafa Benitez for his explosive comments about Sir Alex Ferguson.

The mess has been left to Richard Bevan, the chief executive of the League Managers Association, to sort out and he is to hold individual meetings with Benitez and Ferguson to find a solution to the feud.

The FA had the option of charging Benitez with bringing the game into disrepute, or even simply asking the Liverpool manager for his views on his remarks about Ferguson. Benitez claimed during his Friday press conference that the Manchester United manager enjoyed preferential treatment from the FA and referees despite his hounding officials.

On Saturday, following Liverpool's draw at Stoke City, Benitez again went on the offensive and suggested that United benefited from having their chief executive, David Gill, on the FA main board (ignoring the fact that Liverpool's Noel White was on the FA's International Committee for many years). Ferguson, talking after United's 3-0 win over Chelsea on Sunday, responded that he felt Benitez was "disturbed".

On Monday Soho Square decided they did not want to pour further fuel on the fire burning between Benitez and Ferguson. There are also no plans for officials of United and Liverpool to meet to clear the air.

A precedent was set in 2004 in the wake of the Old Trafford Pizzagate affair when United and Arsenal players clashed in the tunnel and pizza was chucked at Ferguson. The then chairman of the FA, Geoff Thompson, and the Premier League's chief executive, Richard Scudamore, sat down with Gill and Arsenal's then vice-chairman David Dein to tackle the controversy. The FA became involved after Pizzagate because something was thrown whereas the Benitez-Ferguson issue was only verbal.

The FA have also decided not to charge Chelsea over the behaviour of their supporters at Old Trafford. Chelsea fans were heard to sing "you should have died in the tunnel" towards the United winger, Cristiano Ronaldo, who crashed his Ferrari driving to United's Carrington training ground earlier in the week.

Reds Finalise Palsson Deal

Liverpool have completed the signing of Icelandic star Vitcor Palsson, AGF Aarhus have confirmed.

The Danish side have revealed that the 18-year-old has finalised his move to Anfield.

Palsson, who never made a first-team appearance for AGF, was spotted by Liverpool's scouts and the club have now moved to tie him down.

"First of all, I am happy on Victor's behalf," stated AGF sports director Brian Steen Nielsen in a press release.

"It's a great opportunity for him and naturally, we don't want to block the way for him.

"Of course, we regret to lose a talented player, but on the other hand, we have got a good deal with Liverpool."

Liverpool FC's Fernando Torres Shortlisted For Fifa World Player Of The Year

Liverpool’s Fernando Torres will find out today if his impact on the Premier League has earned him the title of Fifa World Player of the Year.

Torres is one of five players on the list, which will be announced today, after helping Spain to Euro 2008 glory and scoring an incredible 24 goals in his debut Premier League season.

Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo is the favourite to walk away with the award, having already collected the FIFPro and Ballon d’Or awards this season.

Also on the list is Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez and current holder Kaka.

After scoring 42 goals en route to Champions League and Premier League titles last season Ronaldo seems set to improve on his third place last year.

The closest challenger appears to be Barcelona’s Messi, who despite an average season with his club last season has been in blistering form since winning gold at the Beijing Olympics, helping Barca storm to a 10-point lead at the top of the Primera Liga before the winter break.

Spain’s Xavi features after playing a key role in his country’s success at Euro 2008, while Kaka is among the candidates again despite an under-par season last year with AC Milan.

The award will be made at Fifa’s world player gala in Zurich, the first time the award has been held in January.

It is also the first time five finalists have been chosen, as opposed to three.

Each national team manager and player is given a vote for their player of the year from a shortlist released by Fifa.

The women’s award has also been extended to five candidates, and this year features an English player for the first time. Kelly Smith will be up against 2007 and 2008 winner Marta and her Brazilian compatriot Cristiane, as well as Germany’s Nadine Angerer and three-time winner Birgit Prinz.

Ferguson Must Stop Talking About Liverpool, Warns Rafael Benitez

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has continued his war of words with Sir Alex Ferguson by insisting that the Manchester United boss stops talking about his side.

Benitez hit out at Ferguson on Friday, criticising the Scot’s conduct towards referees and insisting he regularly escapes punishment for his behaviour.

The Spaniard has now followed this up by stating that the United manager should stop talking about Liverpool.

Speaking to the club’s official website, he said, “If Mr. Ferguson would stop talking about Liverpool maybe it would be good. He is clearly nervous about Liverpool.”

Benitez was speaking after watching his side slump to a goalless draw against strugglers Stoke City, and the Spaniard insisted he had received a lot of his support following his press conference on Friday.

“I can tell you that a lot of people have sent a lot of messages - not to me but to my staff and a lot of people at the club - to say, 'At least one person has said something everybody wanted to say,’” he explained.

“Maybe because in 20 years nobody could say these things and maybe a lot of people were thinking the same but didn't want to say.”

Yet despite his current stance towards Ferguson, the Liverpool boss revealed he has plenty of respect for Sir Alex.

He said, “I have a lot of respect for him. He is a great manager but he was talking too much about Liverpool, so clearly he has to stop.

"My concern now is to prepare the team for the next game against Everton and that's it. I always say we take things one game at a time - that is my philosophy and my idea.”

Heskey Pens Pre-Contract With Liverpool

On Saturday, reports emerged that Liverpool were hoping to snap up Emile Heskey from Wigan Athletic on a free transfer at the end of the season.

Now, The Daily Mail claims that the England striker has effectively sealed his return to Anfield by penning a pre-contract with the Premier League leaders.

Heskey has been tracked by a host of clubs since starring in the Three Lions' impressive opening to their World Cup qualifying campaign, during which he established a dynamic partnership with Wayne Rooney.

Liverpool have always been near the head of the queue, a scenario which seemed altogether impossible when the former Leicester City ace left Merseyside in 2004.

Heskey spent four seasons with the 18-time English champions, but he failed to win the hearts of the Kopites and was shipped out around the same time Rafael Benitez took charge.

And yet now the Spanish tactician wants the 31-year-old back at Anfield, presumably to provide a strong aerial option and cover for the somewhat injury-prone Fernando Torres.

There is no official word from either Wigan or Liverpool, however, so for the time being this report goes in the 'definitely maybe' pile.

Rafa Benitez Launches New Attack On Manchester United Exec David Gill

Rafael Benitez kept up his campaign against Manchester United by claiming they have an "unusual" influence at the FA.

The Liverpool boss did not hold back at the weekend as he turned the heat up even further on his title rivals by questioning the role Old Trafford chief executive David Gill plays at the Football Association.

Benitez made clear his frustration and anger that Gill holds a senior position within English football's ruling body, which he believes is a conflict of interest with his role at United, and he described the situation as "very strange". And in yet another controversial outburst aimed at the champions, the Anfield manager said: "They were saying we are not a threat.

Now they know we are, they are starting mind games.

"But I don't think it's a mind game when you have control over everything; it's a mind game when you have the same level as the other people, then you can show you are cleverer than the others.

"But when you have control of everything and your chief executive is powerful in the FA and things like this, then that is not mind games.

"Is there a conflict of interest with David Gill at the FA?

"That is another fact. It is a fact that one person has a lot of power and control, and is on a lot of the committees in the FA. To me that is very strange."

Gill is one of the most influential voices at the FA, holding a position on the management board of the game's governing body, and is widely tipped to become their next chief executive.

Benitez's remarks are sure to cause uproar because his implications are clear - United get favourable treatment because a senior figure at their club is on the inside at the FA.

That could bring him charges from the governing body, but the disciplinary committee is already set to investigate his remarks made on Friday.

Yet Benitez was in bullish mood, adding: "A lot of people think the same as me.

"I need to change my mobile phone because it is blocked with so many messages of support, and I am not surprised by that."

Ferguson and Benitez Lock Horns Over Anderson

Sir Alex Ferguson is reportedly ready to ruffle Rafa Benitez’s feathers for the second time in quick succession, but this time in the transfer market. Both managers are thought to be locking horns as they attempt to attract the highly-rated 21-year-old Fluminense centre-back Anderson to the Premier League.

Reports in Brazil claim that the Liverpool manager sent scouts to watch the player in his side’s defeat against Cruzeiro before the Campeonato Brasiliero wound down for their annual Christmas break. At the time it looked as though a deal would be a formality for the Anfield club, however, with Ferguson now interested it looks as though the player’s value could be subject to an intense bidding war.

The 6ft 1” tall defender is thought to be versatile and quick enough to function across the backline and already has experience of winning silverware having taken part in his side’s Brazilian Cup victory in 2007.

The Premier League title rivals are both apparently keen to strengthen their backlines with a dedicated centre-back as injuries and ageing limbs take their toll on their respective squads.

While Manchester United have a number of players including Wes Brown, John O’Shea and Gary Neville who could potentially fill in at the heart of their defence, they only have Nemandja Vidic, Jonny Evans and Rio Ferdinand as specialists. Having seen the progress made by Rafael da Silva and with expectations high for the improvement of his twin brother Fabio it is now thought that Ferguson could further flavour the United squad with samba spice.

With doubts surrounding the future of Daniel Agger and Sami Hyppia's long-term sustainability in doubt, Rafa Benitez is also desperate to add defensive cover. Liverpool already have a number of Brazilians in their squad and the Spaniard is hoping that Anderson will be swayed by an opportunity to settle on Merseyside with his compatriots.

Pitch Is Where Rafa Benitez Should Go On Offensive

If only Rafael Benitez was as attack minded in the technical area as he is in the Press room.

After overseeing Liverpool’s worst – and perhaps most negative – performance of the season at relegation-threatened Stoke City, Benitez resumed his offensive against Sir Alex Ferguson, suggesting the Manchester United manager is “scared” of the Anfield outfit.

This, however, was certainly not a display that will have struck fear into Liverpool’s title rivals. Or anyone else in the division, for that matter.

Benitez’s bravado off the pitch was in stark contrast to the caution he continues to display on it.

While the towering Sami Hyypia and Martin Skrtel were both astute choices at centre-back, given the aerial bombardment Tony Pullis’ men subject sides to, the decision to play just one up front at the Britannia Stadium was less inspired.

The 4-2-3-1 system has been Benitez’s formation of choice ever since his La Liga-winning days at Valencia, but his devotion to it is far too dogmatic.

Its merits are clear, allowing the Spanish manager to field all of his outstanding performers along the spine of the side, while giving Steven Gerrard the licence to roam.

Like any system, however, its success is dependant on the suitability of candidates available for the different roles.

And when the spearhead of the formation is Dirk Kuyt rather than Fernando Torres, who has perfected the position, it’s time to think again.

Kuyt, for all his qualities, simply can not function in this role – there are few strikers in Europe who can. He has neither the touch, strength, pace nor aerial ability to lead the line and bring others into play.

The result is that Gerrard struggles to exert his influence on the game, as attack after attack breaks down at the feet or head of the former Feyenoord favourite.

Against teams like Stoke City, Kuyt is always at his worst, the kind of contest in which a moment of inspiration rather than 90 minutes of perspiration is required. The Dutchman’s industry may unnerve the very finest defences in European football but rugged stoppers like Abdoulay Faye and Ryan Shawcross would happily face such a limited forward each week.

The manager is right to be patient with Torres’s reintroduction to action following his spate of hamstring injuries, but the bench also contained two other strikers with a combined value of over £31m in Ryan Babel and Robbie Keane.

Both men have proved to be questionable signings, not because they lack talent, rather because of how Benitez has chosen to utilise them. Or not, as the case may be.

In the absence of both Xabi Alonso and Torres, Benitez should have played to the strength of his personnel, dropping Gerrard back into his favoured role alongside Javier Mascherano in a 4-4-2 line-up. What was it about the Potters’ midfield that troubled Benitez enough to play two anchormen? Salif Diao, maybe? The Senegalese flop was only denied a reunion with his former side by an injury in the warm-up.

In the centre, Liverpool badly missed the inspiration of Alonso, for whom the wretched Lucas is no replacement.

An encouraging performance against PSV and a delightful assist against Newcastle United led to some observers believing the young Brazilian had begun to realise his potential.

This woeful showing, however, was far more familiar.

Lucas, however, was not alone in the paucity of his performance. Alongside him Mascherano continued to fall short of his own high standards in front of his watching national manager Diego Maradona, while even Liverpool’s most consistent performer, Pepe Reina, was uncharacteristically flustered by Stoke’s direct approach.

Rather than concern himself with combating Ferguson’s mind games, Benitez should concentrate on outwitting opponents where it matters – on the field, where Stoke manager Pulis for the second time this season got the better of the Liverpool manager.

The greatest damage Benitez could have inflicted on Ferguson’s Premier League hopes would have been to claim a victory – something that, until Gerrard struck the bar, they never looked capable of.

True, the same system with largely the same group of players beat Newcastle 5-1 in the club’s previous league outing. The difference was, however, unlike the St James’ Park outfit, Stoke never allowed Liverpool time in possession.

Ultimately, it is not how a team lines up that determines their attacking intent, rather the mentality of the manager and the players he selects.

Yet, while Benitez favours a patient approach to football, he will soon discover that the tolerance of the club’s supporters will be severely tested should his side produce many more performances like this.

Riera: We're Scared Of Rafa

Albert Riera says Liverpool are destined for glory this season - because they don't want to make Rafael Benitez angry!

The Reds are top of the Premier League, and are also through to the knock-out stages of the Champions League and the fourth round of the FA Cup.

But Riera says he can't forget Benitez's rage after Liverpool were knocked out of the Carling Cup at Tottenham.

And the 26-year-old, an £8m summer signing from Espanyol says his manager cannot stand losing because football is his life.

"I remember when Tottenham eliminated us from the Carling Cup, and Benitez got so angry," Riera revealed.

"As he lives for football, it's very difficult for him when things go badly. But it works well with Sammy Lee as his assistant - he's the gunpowder in the dressing room!

"We are in really good shape as we have an excellent squad. We have two players for every position and we're all really ambitious.

"We've got a great team and a manager who infects us all with the desire to work and the desire to win."

Match Report: Stoke City 0 - 0 LiverpooL

Liverpool missed the chance to go six points clear at the top of the Premier League as they were held to a goalless draw at Stoke.

The gap to Chelsea is now four points, with the Blues away to Manchester United, as Steven Gerrard twice hit the woodwork in the last five minutes.

Nevertheless a day after his infamous rant at Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, Benitez must have been left speechless at his side's overall performance.

They failed to break down a Stoke side which had failed to win in their previous six league games.

Argentina coach Diego Maradona was guest of honour at the Britannia Stadium, no doubt keen to see at first hand visiting midfielder Javier Mascherano, the national team captain.

But he found it hard going, as did Liverpool.

Dirk Kuyt should have done better in the eighth minute when he sent a free header wide of the post following a cross from Albert Riera.

It was a good chance for Kuyt to add to his seven-goal tally but he was left frustrated.

Stoke hit back and should have taken the lead in the 13th minute when Liverpool failed to clear a high, hopeful ball from Amdy Faye.

Rory Delap found himself clear on goal inside the six-yard area but only succeeded in blasting a shot against the underside of the crossbar and Richard Cresswell failed to take advantage of the rebound.

Liverpool responded in the 22nd minute and Kuyt's effort was beaten away at the post by goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen.

Stoke, however, found the net in the 31st minute when Ryan Shawcross got on the end of a cross from Matthew Etherington, on his debut, only for his effort to be ruled out for offside.

This was a good little spell for the home side and a minute later Dave Kitson sent a header into Jose Reina's arms following a long throw from Delap.

Liverpool then launched a swift counter-attack in the 38th minute and Riera whipped in a cross from the left.

Yossi Benayoun tried to get on the end of it but the ball skipped away from him at the last moment.

A poor clearance, however, from Reina put Liverpool in trouble six minutes into the second half.

Kitson latched on to the ball and skipped away from the goalkeeper but his effort from an acute angle ended in the side-netting.

Stoke were making a decent fist of it and Delap headed wide in the 56th minute following a crossfield pass from Danny Higginbotham.

Benitez decided to make a switch in the 60th minute and brought on Fernando Torres for Riera in a bid to beef up the attack.

Of more concern to Benitez, however, must have been the number of high balls Stoke were winning.

Gerrard was then booked for taking a free-kick too early, such was Liverpool's anxiety in trying to make the breakthrough.

Lucas squandered a great chance for Liverpool in the 68th minute when he failed to test Sorensen with a header at the back post and sent his effort across the face of the goal instead.

Kitson came close for Stoke in the 74th minute when he headed over the bar following a throw-in from Delap.

Four minutes later Glenn Whelan saw his 25-yard free-kick beat Reina but finish marginally off-target.

Liverpool almost took the lead in the 85th minute but Gerrard's free-kick rattled the crossbar.

Then on the stroke of full-time his effort came back off the post after a flick-on by Torres.

Poll Backs Rafa Over Rant

Former Premier League referee Graham Poll has backed Rafael Benitez's claim that Sir Alex Ferguson receives lenient treatment from the Football Association.

Liverpool manager Benitez blasted his Manchester United counterpart on Friday, alleging Ferguson does not get punished sufficiently for his sometimes outspoken criticism of match officials.

"During the respect campaign, and this is a fact, Sir Ferguson was charged by the FA for improper conduct after comments made about Martin Atkinson and (referees' chief) Keith Hackett," Benitez said.

"He was not punished. He is the only manager in the league that cannot be punished for these things.

"How can you talk about the respect campaign and criticise the referee every single week?"

Poll was considered the Premier League's top official until his retirement at the end of the 2006-07 season.

He enjoyed a good relationship with Ferguson, who even phoned Poll to offer him support in the wake of his gaffe at the 2006 World Cup, when he showed Croatia's Josip Simunic three yellow cards.

But the former referee agrees with Benitez's suggestion that the United boss receives preferential treatment from FA disciplinary chiefs.

"Rafa Benitez has articulated what referees have been thinking for years - that Sir Alex Ferguson can say what he wants about them and the FA will allow him to get away with it," he told the Daily Mail.

"The authorities could point to Ferguson's two-match ban imposed earlier this season as proof that he is not out of reach of their disciplinary department, but that was for marching onto the field after the 4-3 win over Hull and for comments made directly to the referee, Mike Dean, who in reporting the misconduct forced the FA's hand."

An FA spokesman said Benitez's comments would be reviewed "in their full context" next week before any decision is reached on whether to take action against the Reds boss.

Liverpool Manager Rafa Benitez Shouldn't Rise To Sir Alex Ferguson's Bait

Rafael Benitez really shouldn’t go around suggesting Sir Alex Ferguson “organise’’ the fixture list as Manchester United’s manager is liable to accept the offer.

That was the wry reaction within Old Trafford to Benitez’s remarkable comments yesterday.

Within seconds of Benitez’s speech, a text message was sent by a Sky employee covering events at Liverpool’s Melwood training ground to Ferguson’s base at Carrington, telling the champions it would be worth tuning in. Benitez’s discourse was greeted with a mixture of astonishment and amusement.

This speech differed markedly from Kevin Keegan’s “I’d love it’’ outburst against Ferguson 13 years ago. Keegan spoke from the heart. Benitez was talking from the head. Liverpool’s manager is a shrewd soul, a man who ponders situations like a chess grandmaster before making any move. He must have considered the ramifications of verbal pyrotechnics which could end up burning Liverpool.

Two issues are at play here: the substance, if any, of the claims and the potential fallout. Ferguson does escape with certain tirades at referees, but that is partly because experience has taught the canny Scot how far he can go.

There was a worrying period when, to the cynical eye, there seemed almost a rotation of United substitutes working the linesman over. That appears to have ended.

But if Benitez seriously believes Ferguson enjoys a cosy relationship with the FA, all tea, cake and “just say what you want about those beastly referees, Sir Alex’’, then Liverpool’s manager needs a crash course in the history of club-versus-country during the Ferguson era.

If he genuinely thinks the authorities let Ferguson and United off lightly then he should have been around when the Scot heard the FA had published details of the Patrice Evra disciplinary ruling on their website. He looked like he had swallowed the famous hairdryer.

As for the fixtures, nobody really took Ferguson’s complaint about the champions being “handicapped’’ this season that seriously. Ferguson’s message was meant more for United’s dressing room, to stir up the siege mentality. Again.

The idea that Ferguson manipulates the fixtures is ludicrous; the reason why United attract so much television interest is because Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov are the biggest draw in town.

So what of the consequences? Ferguson will see Benitez’s outpouring as a coup, a signal that Liverpool are worried about United. Ferguson’s players will feel that Liverpool are rattled. In truth, there is a calmness and sense of real purpose among Benitez’s squad, who are focusing on what they need to do to win the title, not becoming obsessed about rivals.

The managers who have handled Ferguson best are those who never lost their cool with him, like Kenny Dalglish at Blackburn Rovers or Jose Mourinho at Chelsea. The only piece of paper Benitez needed to read from yesterday was the one showing the Premier League table - with Liverpool top.

FA To Review Benitez Complaints

The Football Association is to review Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez's verbal attack on Alex Ferguson before deciding whether to take any action against him.

Benitez claimed his Manchester United counterpart gets away with criticising referees and poured scorn on his complaints about the fixture list.

The FA said in a brief statement that the comments will be analysed "in their full context" in the coming week.

Ferguson has yet to respond to the claims levelled against him by Benitez.

The Spaniard's outburst came after a journalist asked for his response to Ferguson's suggestion that Premier League leaders Liverpool might get nervous in the title run-in.

After claiming Manchester United might be nervous themselves, he produced a sheet of paper and read out a list of accusations about Ferguson's conduct regarding referees, the FA's Respect campaign and fixture lists.

Benitez claimed that Ferguson intimidates match officials and often escapes punishment for his criticism of referees.

Former top-flight ref Graham Poll claimed in the Daily Mail that Benitez "has articulated what referees have been thinking for years - that Sir Alex can say what he wants about them and the FA allows him to get away with it."

However, Ferguson could point to several past run-ins with the FA during his time in charge at Old Trafford.

The most recent came in November when the Scot was given a two-game touchline ban and fined £10,000 for remonstrating with referee Mike Dean.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said on Saturday that he does not think Benitez's words will have any effect on the Premier League title race, but expressed his shock that the Liverpool boss had openly attacked Ferguson.

"It will certainly have an impact on their relationship, but not on Ferguson," he said.

"It came as a complete surprise because he [Benitez] is usually a quiet man and I would not like to comment further on that.

"I do not know what it was really about. I do not know what he [Ferguson] is doing. You do not know. Nobody knows in the country."

Tony Barrett: Rafa Benitez Can Live Up To Bill Shankly's Infamous 'Top Two' Claim

Bill Shankly’s famous tongue in cheek soundbite about there only being two teams on Merseyside – Liverpool and Liverpool Reserves – has been celebrated, ridiculed and debated ever since the legendary Reds boss first uttered it.

Depending on which side of the Mersey divide you find yourself on, it was either an inspirational put-down or an uncalled-for display of triumphalism.

Those who knew the man best insist it was just a typical bit of gruff Scots humour laced with more than a liberal sprinkling of psychology.

Shankly's assertion has never been put to the test, but if Rafa Benitez is in a tinkering mood and wants to protect his key players for a title challenge it could be when Liverpool meet Everton twice in less than a week later this month.

Before last Sunday's draw for the fourth round of the FA Cup, the world's most famous cup competition trailed in a distant third in Liverpool's list of priorities – and that is exactly where it must stay.

As romantic and desirable as the FA Cup undoubtedly is, especially with Liverpool still to visit the new Wembley, it cannot become a diversion in a season when the Reds simply have to deliver that long-awaited challenge.

The fact the draw managed to pair them with their local rivals for the first time in 18 years has sent shockwaves of excitement rippling through Merseyside's football scene and has upgraded what could have been a bog standard tie had Liverpool been drawn against anyone else to "must win" status for fans of both clubs.

The number of text messages sent in the Merseyside area after ball number three was pulled out alongside ball number 28 was probably enough to keep the spectre of recession away from the doors of the leading mobile phone firms and such was the volume of traffic on internet message boards that more than one of them went into meltdown.

That's what derby matches do – they cause logic to be thrown out of the window and common sense to be replaced by fevered expectation.

Liverpool cannot allow that to happen to them though.

In the position they have got themselves into at the top of the Premier League, they finally have the chance to kick on and have a proper crack at bringing Shankly's bread and butter back to Anfield.

And for that reason Benitez must pick his team for the cup tie with more than one eye on the league game against Wigan which follows just three days later.

It may not go down well with FA Cup traditionalists who are fighting tooth and nail to stop the competition from becoming a glorified Carling Cup, and it would be far from ideal for the many Liverpool fans who rightly see any victory over Everton as one of the highlights of any season.

But Benitez is duty bound to put the Premier League first, second and last.

The Spaniard will not field two totally different teams in the double header against the Blues, but he is likely to ring the changes in keeping with his brief to produce a title-challenging team.

That's why if rotation is deemed to be the best policy, Benitez must select his strongest possible line-up in the league game against David Moyes' upwardly mobile side and make whatever changes are necessary in the cup tie.

And should he do so and Liverpool go on to win both games – which would be extremely difficult given Everton's recent noticeable improvement – the Reds boss will have gone a long way towards living up to Shankly's throwaway line decades after his predecessor came out with it.

Preston showed true dignity in cup defeat

Preston won a lot of friends at Anfield with the way they handled defeat against Liverpool in last week's FA Cup tie at Deepdale and rightly so.

Manager Alan Irvine - who was brought into coaching by Reds legend Kenny Dalglish before making his name as David Moyes' assistant at Everton - was typically generous in his praise of the team.

Irvine has a touch of class about him that is all too rare in modern football where so many managers look for any controversial incident to explain away a defeat.

Asked what he made of the incident in which Jamie Carragher tangled in the box with Jon Parkin, Irvine could easily have taken the Neil Warnock route and made a meal of it. But he didn't.

He simply responded: "There was an incident between Carragher and Parkin, and there was a lot of movement of Jon's shirt at the time, but that happens a lot and you don't always get penalties. I was not jumping up and down about it."

Irvine also accepted that Sean St Ledger's follow up header was rightly disallowed and it made a refreshing change to see a manager accept defeat in the right manner.

His attitude is clearly rubbing off on his players as well if goalkeeper Andy Lonergan's post match comments are anything to go by.

Lonergan had an excellent game against the Reds and had it not been for him Preston could have been cut adrift by half time.

But at the end of the game Lonergan refused to talk about his own efforts, preferring to shower accolades on the Liverpool team.

"I can't speak highly enough about Liverpool, they are unbelievable," said Lonergan.

"I feel privileged to play on the same pitch as Stevie Gerrard and Robbie Keane.”

A league table only ever looks really pretty when your own team is on top but Liverpool can take a great deal of comfort from their showing in the standings for 2008.

No trophies are awarded for performance over a calendar year of course but it does give an indication of how you are progressing and Liverpool could not have done much more than they did over the last 12 months.

According to statistics collated by local football statistican Ged Rea, only Chelsea collected more points than Liverpool during 2008 with the London club clocking up a total of 86 compared to their Merseyside rivals' tally of 84.

Manchester United trail behind in third, four points behind the Reds, although the Old Trafford outfit did play three games less than Liverpool in 2008.

Interestingly, Rafa Benitez's side won 13 points more than Arsenal in a year when the Reds boss was consistently compared unfavourably to Arsene Wenger.

But the most telling statistic of all is that Liverpool are the only one of the big four to win more points in the second half of 2008 than they did in the first – as sure a sign of improvement and progress as you can get.

Still, as everyone knows, it is the points they accumulate in the first half of 2009 that will decide whether or not they win prizes.

Jose Rejects Rafa's Complaints

Jose Mourinho has rejected Rafa Benitez's claims that Manchester United receive preferential treatment from referees.

Benitez launched an outspoken attack against United boss Ferguson on Friday accusing the Scot of getting away with criticising referees.

The tirade has caused ripples throughout the footballing world with many observers expressing their views of the incident.

Former Chelsea boss Mourinho, who does not enjoy a good relationship with old rival Benitez, has added his opinion and he believes the Spaniard's criticisms are wide of the mark.

"I played at Old Trafford many times, including a few wins, and never saw anything strange," Mourinho told the Italian media.

"It is only normal that a referee will feel under pressure in an atmosphere like that with 80,000 people."