Benitez hits out over ‘disrespectful’ chants

Mar 31 2008 by Nick Smith, Liverpool Daily Post

RAFAEL BENITEZ hit out at sections of Everton’s support following the Merseyside derby victory at Anfield yesterday.

The Liverpool manager led his side to the second Premier League double over their city rivals during his four-year reign.

But he revealed he was more pleased for the supporters and for the players he felt were “disrespected” by chants from the away end.

Benitez caused controversy last year when he labelled Everton a “small club” following their 0-0 draw at Anfield.

And with Everton players also being singled out for insults from the home supporters – something clearly not lost on David Moyes when he shrugged in response to Benitez’s criticism – the Spaniard risked fanning the flames once again.

Asked how he felt about overcoming Everton, Benitez said: “I think it is more for our supporters and for the team because we have three more points and the gap is five points.

“I am sure some of the players will be very pleased because I do not like to hear some of the things I heard.

“It showed a lack of respect for some players. So I am really pleased, especially for some players.

“So I am very pleased we did the double against Everton for our supporters and it was really important for the team and the club.”

Benitez also had a thinly-veiled dig at referee Steven Bennett, who a week earlier sent off Javier Mashcerano against Manchester United.

The Argentinian received a second yellow card – that ruled him out of the derby – after protesting against Fernando Torres’s booking for dissent.

Torres was booked for the same offence by Howard Webb yesterday but Benitez said: “This referee is a good referee who does not want to be arrogant and be the star.”

But Benitez was in far more praising mood when quizzed on his team’s performance, particularly bouncing back from the 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford.

He added: “It was important for us to show character and be well organised. You could see that the team with balance and trying to do things right that we were practising in training sessions.

“At the end of the first half we’d had a lot of chances. When you are winning 1-0 you feel that you may concede a goal from a corner or a free-kick so we needed a second goal.

“But, although we couldn’t score again, we won and we are now in a better position but we need to keep winning if we want to finish in the top four.

“We have to play against Arsenal away and Everton play Derby – so it could be different next week so we need to work hard until the end.

“The team showed character, especially in the first half where they showed quality too so we know we have these things and important to see them in every game.

“After the defeat at United it was good to beat our rivals and that will allow us to face Arsenal with more confidence.”

Benitez also paid tribute to Pepe Reina, who beat Ray Clemence’s club record for the most clean sheets in the first 100 games of an Anfield goalkeeping career.

“It was also a good day because of Pepe Reina’s 54th clean sheet,” added Benitez.