Benitez: "Button it, Jose"
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ByEurosport
Published 25/04/2007 at 13:29 GMT
Rafa Benitez's war of words with Jose Mourinho has intensified ahead of this evening's all-English Champions League showdown between Chelsea and Liverpool. Benitez responded angrily after Mourinho predicted Liverpool would try to get Didier Drogba booked.
FOOTBALL 2006-2007 Champions League Liverpool Benitez
Image credit: Imago
Ahead of the game, Benitez turned the tables on the Chelsea boss, accusing the London side of employing cynical tactics.
With key man Drogba one booking away from a suspension, Mourinho had said Liverpool would try to induce him into picking up a yellow card.
"It would not surprise me if they chased Didier Drogba around the pitch for 90 minutes to try to get him suspended for the second leg," said Mourinho.
But Benitez shot back, accusing Mourinho of playing mind games with referee Markus Merk.
"I don't know why he thinks this. Maybe because two years ago he was doing the same thing with Xabi Alonso, and maybe it is still in his mind," he said.
"We are just thinking about playing football. If it is a message for the referee, then the referee has enough experience.
"The rules are the same for everybody. If Drogba makes a foul and it is a yellow card, it must be a yellow card."
Benitez and Mourinho have a frosty relationship, and Chelsea still harbour resentment following the teams' semi-final in 2005, which Liverpool won courtesy of a disputed Luis Garcia goal.
The Stamford Bridge boss further stoked up the flames of their feud on Tuesday by claiming he would have been sacked if he had Benitez's record.
"Three years without a Premiership title? I don't think I would still be in a job," he said, also dismissing Liverpool as mere cup specialists.
Stick with eurosport.com for build-up throughout the day plus full LIVE coverage from 19:45 UK time (20:45 CET).
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