I'd be sacked on Rafa's record
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JOSE MOURINHO last night taunted Rafa Benitez by claiming Chelsea would have sacked him if he had won as few trophies as the Kop boss.
The Blues chiefÂ’s attack upped the ante for tonightÂ’s Champions League crunch with Liverpool.
He said: “Three years without a Premiership title? I don’t think I would still be in a job.”
But Benitez, who led Liverpool to Euro glory in 2005 and the FA Cup 12 months ago, pointed to the cash Roman Abramovich splashed to help Chelsea win back- to-back Premierships and two Carling Cups.
The Anfield boss said: “It depends on the money you spend and so you can decide the value of each point Chelsea have more than Liverpool.
“Chelsea have good players but if you spend big money you get a good team which should always be competing to be in the finals.”
Mourinho also claimed Liverpool have had an easy ride to tonightÂ’s semi-final while his side is still fighting for four trophies.
But Benitez insisted: “I don’t like to the play the game that Mourinho does.
“He says we have more fresh legs but we want to be in the final the same as Chelsea.
“Mourinho is a great coach. But the key to this tie is not him or me.
“It’s about Steven Gerrard or Frank Lampard so I will not play these games.”
Mourinho will be without injured Michael Ballack but Joe Cole is set to replace the German in midfield.
Liverpool dumped Chelsea in the semis before their final victory over AC Milan two years ago.
Blues have been desperate for revenge ever since — but Benitez insists he can sense the same feeling in his squad as he did before that 2005 triumph.
The Spaniard warned: “We are better than two years ago.
“Maybe they are as well but we have more experience now and I think we can do it.
“Two years ago I could sense the players were ready to win it, even though people didn’t believe it was possible. And I have the same feeling again.”
Liverpool, who also knocked out Chelsea in the FA Cup semis last season, have not scored in five games at Stamford Bridge with Benitez in charge.
But Benitez insisted: “We lost 1-0 there in September — but, yes, it was still a good game for us.” -
Mind games....SAF used to love it but he seems to tone down alot in recent years...Maybe due to age...
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3 years withour premier league nvm.
we got champions league they dun have.
this season gonna be second under rafa's reign!!
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sometime really dun understand why tis top managers like to use mind games on pple.
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The same reason why there are people who like to pwn others in forums.Originally posted by 798:sometime really dun understand why tis top managers like to use mind games on pple. 