Benitez smiles again – for now, at least

NO errant beachballs to concern Rafael Benitez this time, just the spectre of Alex Ferguson attempting to kick more sand in his face.

Hapless referees and impertinent journalists tend to be the main targets for the all-too regular bullying tactics employed by the Manchester United manager.

However, the Scot has not been averse to using an array of methods to test the mettle of the Spaniard in his cold war with Benitez, the fifth Liverpool manager he has locked horns with during a reign just a month shy of 23 years.