RAFA FIRES BACK AT JOSE

Rafael Benitez, has dismissed claims made by Jose Mourinho that Liverpool will try to get Chelsea players booked.

With a host of players one booking away from suspension, including Didier Drogba, Joe Cole, Arjen Robben, Petr Cech and Lassana Diarra, Chelsea have appeared particularly concerned about losing players for the second leg at Anfield.

"It had not crossed my mind, but maybe it has Mourinho's because that is what Chelsea did two seasons ago to Xabi Alonso," Benitez said.

In the 2005 semi-final Eidur Gudjohnsen was accused of diving to get Alonso booked, ruling him out of the second leg at Anfield which Liverpool won 1-0.

Benitez added: "Maybe that is what Jose did to Alonso. But if that was a message to the referee (Markus Merk), then I can say that if it is a yellow card, that is what it should be. If it is red, then also that is what it should be.

"I have confidence in Markus Merk, he is a very good referee and I am happy with the referees at this level."

Peter Crouch has also dismissed Mourinho's claim that Liverpool are the favourites to win the first leg at Stamford Bridge.

The Liverpool striker said: "I don't know about that. We may have beaten them a few times recently as well as the semi-final before I joined the club.

"But Chelsea are a great side, particularly on their own ground, and they must be favourites."

Editor's Notes

It has been translated by the media that Jose MOANrinho has succeeded in 'baiting' Rafa Benitez into a psychological battle, war of words.

Rafa is one who doesn't seem to be really bothered about what is said but instead lets his tactical acument do the job. But I imagine that this time the accusation thrown at Liverpool, possibly to gain some leverage of sympathy from the man in black, was uncalled for.

The fact that ChelSKeA has so many players on a yellow card is not anyone else's problem but themselves. MOANrinho should looked into their own disciplinary record and advice his own players. This could have been reduced if ChelSKeA would stop surrounding and intimidating the referees or resort to 'dirty tricks'.

Rafa Benitez did not make too much of a fuss when Eidur Gudjohnson did just that or previously when Fat Lampard put Xabi Alonso out of commission and got away with it.

The message to MOANrinho probably is to dictate his own team rather then trying to influence the referee or the opposing team. Sympathy for the 'Devil' ? Oh behave!