THE war of words between Rafael Benitez and Sam Allardyce was rekindled in the aftermath of a bad tempered match at Anfield yesterday.

After goals from Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres handed Liverpool a 2-1 win over Blackburn to stay in the hunt for the fourth Champions League place, Allardyce and Benitez turned their attentions to each other as their simmering feud continued.

The pair have been at loggerheads ever since the Spaniard suffered his first league defeat as Liverpool manager in a bruising encounter to Allardyce’s Bolton five seasons ago.

Benitez was critical of Bolton’s physical approach and believes it is a characteristic typical of Allardyce’s teams.

That prompted Allardyce to point to Liverpool’s six yellow cards at Manchester City last week, suggesting it was ‘ironic’ given Benitez’s previous criticism of his teams’ style of play.

Blackburn picked up five bookings at Anfield yesterday after which Benitez poked fun at Allardyce whilst questioning his tactical acumen.

“I think he is a model for all the managers all around the world,” joked Benitez.

“His style of football, his behaviour, everything.

“He is the perfect role model for all the kids. I am sure parents will enjoy this model and encourage their kids to be the same.

“I also think Barcelona are trying to copy his style of football.”

The Liverpool manager’s comments are likely to attract criticism similar to last season when he was described as being disrespectful to Allardyce for a gesture he made in Liverpool’s 4-0 win over Blackburn at Anfield.

However, with Allardyce saying yesterday that he has every right to respond to comments made about his teams, Benitez will say likewise.

Asked if the win was the perfect response to Allardyce’s pre-match comments, Benitez said: “We always want to win and this game was really important because we are in the race for fourth.

“But we prefer to talk on the pitch.

“It doesn’t matter (what Allardyce says), we won.

“Of course, it is important how you play but sometimes you just have to win.