I’ve got under Rafa’s skin, boasts Allardyce

SAM ALLARDYCE claims Rafael Benitez’s criticism of him is a cover-up for how bad Liverpool are and claims the Reds 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, sarcastically 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 the Reds’ 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.’’

Allardyce believes Liverpool’s result at Wigan leaves Benitez’s side unlikely to finish fourth and qualify for theChampions League.

He added: “The last time one of the big four didn’t finish in the top four it was Liverpool – Everton got that spot – and I think this time it looks pretty difficult having lost against Wigan.

“They are having to rely on other teams slipping up now.

“I think it might be more difficult for Liverpool this time around because there are more teams involved. There’s Manchester City, Aston Villa and Tottenham in there and if Everton keep rolling on you might be surprised to see them making a late run.”

Benitez had pointed the finger at Blackburn’s uncompromising style saying: “I think it is a model for all the managers around the world, their style of football, his (Allardyce’s) behaviour. The style of football I think Barcelona are thinking of copying.”

Allardyce insists however that this shows he has won the psychological battle. He said: “You do it to try to get your team in a position to get a result. I clearly get under his skin and that can be a benefit to my side when we play them.”

Benitez, however, refused to bite back at Allardyce’s latest jibe at him.

Speaking after Liverpool’s 1-0 Europa League defeat to Lille last night the Liverpool boss said he did not want to give Allardyce any more publicity.

“Who?” was his response when asked about Allardyce’s latest comments.

“No comment. No publicity for him.”