SAM ALLARDYCE claims Rafael Benitez’s criticism of him is a cover-up for how bad Liverpool are and claims they have all but blown their chance of finishing in the top four.

Benitez last week mocked Allardyce’s behaviour and Blackburn’s style after their match at Anfield, suggesting that European champions Barcelona were going to model themselves on Rovers.

But the Blackburn manager has hit back by claiming he has managed to get under the skin of Benitez and that the Liverpool boss was just covering up for how badly his team played despite Liverpool’s 2-1 win.

Allardyce said: “It was a good cover-up by Rafa because he knows how bad his side were and that was repeated against Wigan on Monday night.

“He’s got personal with it for many, many years now. That’s why I don’t like him and the feeling is probably mutual.

“I don’t get personal with him; I get into him and under his skin, yes, but that’s all part of the game.

“The tit for tat between me and Rafa will probably go on until one of us is no longer a Premier League manager.

“I’ve managed to psyche out one or two here and there and that’s how the Premiership has evolved over the last 20 years.

“But no, Pep Guardiola has not been in touch yet!”

Allardyce said his team should take encouragement from their performance where they created a host of chances but only managed to score from the spot.

He also believes Liverpool’s result at Wigan leaves Benitez’s side unlikely to finish fourth and qualify for the Champions League.