Rafa rant raises title stakes

RAFAEL Benitez denied last night that his astonishing outburst at Alex Ferguson will dent Liverpool’s title hopes.

There were suggestions that Benitez’s outburst may have played straight into the hands of Ferguson, who is famous for playing mind games with his title rivals.

But Benitez played down talk that his rant could damage his side’s prospects of winning the championship for the first time since 1990.

“I think they (Manchester United) were thinking we would not be at the top of the table in January, but we are and clearly they are nervous,” said Benitez.

“He has been talking about Liverpool since we beat Chelsea. He said by us winning, we had done United a favour.

“I stayed very calm and very relaxed but he continued complaining about the fixtures, yet when they played on December 29th, how could he complain about that?

“Everybody can see that I am talking about facts. I am not very worried. I’m just saying things that everybody can see.

“How they push and press the referees and what happens after this, and everybody can see the situation.”