MARK LAWRENSON: Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez may be right, but outburst was unnecessary

Jan 13 2009 by Mark Lawrenson, Liverpool Daily Post

Rafa Benitez with Alex Ferguson 320

THERE’S only one reason why Rafael Benitez should have kept his mouth shut and said nothing about Alex Ferguson last week.

Quite simply, the Manchester United manager had already done all his talking for him.

When Rafa kicked off his press conference he suggested that United are a bit nervous because Liverpool are at the top – too right they are!

That’s precisely why what followed from the Spaniard wasn’t necessary. Ferguson is already rattled by Liverpool’s surge to the top of the table this season so just leave it at that.

When he suggested the other week that Liverpool lacked the experience of holding on to win a title going into the final furlong of a season, he was correct.

But what he also revealed by making that statement was that he is worried about them. So as far as Benitez is concerned, that is job done.

Let’s not forget, this is January. I bet when Fergie looked at the table in October and November he probably thought that by the new year Liverpool would have already fallen off the pace.

Well that hasn’t happened and isn’t looking likely to happen for a while yet. Liverpool are in this title race and intend to stay in it to the end and Fergie knows it.

To then come out and say something that in effect confirms that, means there is no need for any kind of response. It’s not the first time he has tried to plant doubt in his rivals’ minds and certainly won’t be the last.

The only conclusion I can come to is that Benitez must have been really angry to list his points on a piece of paper then go out and reel them off.

I actually found most of what he said to be spot on and had a good laugh at his gag about man-marking the officials. But what does it achieve?