BENITEZ SLAMS VALDANO TALK

Rafa Benitez today launched a furious attack on Real Madrid’s former technical director Jorge Valdano after Liverpool’s style of play was criticised in Spain.

Argentinian Valdano, who left Real in 2005, claimed last week Liverpool fans would acclaim ‘sh*t hanging off a stick’ following their semi-final win over Chelsea. Jose Mourinho was also targeted by Valdano, who is scathing of the tactics over both legs of the European tie.

Benitez was clearly unimpressed by the comments. “The people at this club who are working to obtain the targets we are achieving deserve respect, a deep respect. I believe that he has shown a lack of respect to the club and the fans and the sacred stage of Anfield. Speaking of “sh*t hanging from a stick” and other unfair comparisons show he has absolutely no knowledge of the historical reality of this organisation in world football. I have known Jorge Valdano for more than 20 years since my time at Real Madrid and I do not have the best professional concept of him. I believe that he has much to thank to people like Ramon Martinez, Cappa or Giraldez, to mention only some examples, of trainers or sporting directors he’s worked like. These are people who have made a bigger contribution. It infuriates to me that a person who has the privilege of being able to express himself in the media does not do so with honour and education and does not show, I repeat, the minimum respect to an institution like Liverpool, with it’s success and history,” said Benitez.

Valdano had claimed: “Football is made up of subjective feeling, of suggestion and in that Anfield is unbeatable. Put sh** hanging from a stick in the middle of this passionate crazy stadium, and there are people who will tell you it’s a work of art. It’s not. It’s sh** hanging from a stick. Chelsea and Liverpool are the clearest and most exaggerated example of the way football is going - very intense, very tactical, very physical and very direct.”