After watching his fast Spanish striker expose the weaknesses he had identified in Manchester United's defence, the 'fat Spanish waiter' was understandably satisfied.
It was Rafa Benitez, after all, who dismissed Arsene Wenger's declaration that United had become 'untouchable'. Benitez who insisted four weeks ago that the champions of England, Europe and the world were not the invincibles Arsenal's manager would have us think.
United's heaviest defeat at Old Trafford in 17 years was quite a way for Benitez to prove his point and now he only hopes that others, Wenger included, will copy the blueprint of his tactical masterplan.
If Liverpool are to have any hope of catching United, they need the teams still due at Old Trafford to follow the example of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard and use a deadly combination of pace, power and skill to unlock Sir Alex Ferguson's record-breaking back line. As well, that is, as unsettle United's midfield with someone as destructive as Javier Mascherano.
Manchester Utd 1 Liverpool 4: Benitez issues a quick guide on the way to defeat United
By Matt Lawton Last updated at 1:56 AM on 16th March 2009
Comments (5)
Add to My Stories
After watching his fast Spanish striker expose the weaknesses he had identified in Manchester United's defence, the 'fat Spanish waiter' was understandably satisfied.
It was Rafa Benitez, after all, who dismissed Arsene Wenger's declaration that United had become 'untouchable'. Benitez who insisted four weeks ago that the champions of England, Europe and the world were not the invincibles Arsenal's manager would have us think.
Kop that: Rafa Benitez masterminds a stunning victory over Manchester United.
United's heaviest defeat at Old Trafford in 17 years was quite a way for Benitez to prove his point and now he only hopes that others, Wenger included, will copy the blueprint of his tactical masterplan.
If Liverpool are to have any hope of catching United, they need the teams still due at Old Trafford to follow the example of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard and use a deadly combination of pace, power and skill to unlock Sir Alex Ferguson's record-breaking back line. As well, that is, as unsettle United's midfield with someone as destructive as Javier Mascherano.
More...
Manchester United 1 Liverpool 4: All the action as it unfolded
United legend Charlton says Liverpool defeat could prove to be a blessing
MANCHESTER UNITED FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET
LIVERPOOL FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET
Until Saturday, United were unbeaten at home in the Barclays Premier League this season, having conceded just five goals. Teams were turning up convinced they had no hope of securing even a point. But United are not impenetrable, no team is, and Benitez is now urging others to take note.
In Liverpool's favour is the fact that there is pace in abundance in the teams that United still have to host between now and the end of the season. Aston Villa are at their best when they get the ball out to their wingers and so are Tottenham, while Manchester City and Arsenal also have quick players capable of terrorising Nemanja Vidic and Co.
Top man: Fernando Torres celebrates after hitting the first of Liverpool's four goals.
'I think United have weaknesses,' said Benitez. 'They have quality, a lot of quality in attack, that is the main thing that they have. They are strong in defence because they have plenty of possession. But when they don't have the ball and you move the ball quickly and play behind the defenders, you know you can beat them. We knew that they are really good at playing between the lines with penetrating passes.
'So we needed to stop these passes and put the midfielders under pressure every time they were going to receive the ball; and after that try to play simple and go forward quickly, because it's an offensive team and they are always high.'
Before this encounter, Vidic was a contender for Footballer of the Year. But the manner in which he was terrorised by Torres before receiving a straight red card for his professional foul on Gerrard has probably ruined any chance of that.
Benitez saw something in Vidic that he knew Torres could exploit. 'That was one of the ideas,' he said. 'We knew that maybe with Fernando's movement we could create problems for the defenders.'
Holding court in an Old Trafford press auditorium Ferguson has long refused to appear in after Premier League matches, Benitez was in his element. He had endured the Spanish waiter taunts from United fans and soaked up insults from Ferguson. 'Disturbed' and 'ridiculous' was how Ferguson described him after that outburst in January, adding last Friday that he will need to read 'Freud' to understand his rival. I really don't see what all the fuss is about. Benitez turned a 5 point lead to a 4 point deficit having played a game more than Utd in a little under 5 weeks (some genius). Yes they have had two fantastic wins in the last week, but you don't win leagues without consistancy and Liverpool haven't shown any off that since 1990. Would they swap that result for Utd's postion? yes of course they would If I was a Utd fan i would be a lot more worried about Chelsea than Liverpool. Semi final off FA, 2nd in PL and in the QF of the CL and all their big players are back. Benitez shoudl also learn to be quiet as Utd and Chelsea play 24 hours before Liverpool at the weekend and if they win there will be a lot of pressure on a 3rd place Liverpool to beat a team that haven't won for a while and are pushing for fourth spot. And we all know what happens to Liverpool on occassions like that..................
Click to rate Rating (0)
- Anon, Sussex, 16/3/2009 08:01
Being a loyal Everton supporter and true blue, I still have great desire for Liverpool to do well and Saturday showed me that they still have what it takes. Gerrard captained his team with all that would be expected of any manager because all the talk on the training ground and in the dressing room means nothing if the on field general doesn't keep the players in check. Gerrard did that and Liverpool did to United what they don't like, that is took the game to them and when they had the ball they moved it perfectly. Most teams go to Old Trafford wondering how many are going to be scored against them but Liverpool didn't which took United out of there comfort zone. A lesson was given to all other teams visiting Old Trafford or playing Manchester United. That lesson being don't be taken for granted. Well done Liverpool, and that from a True Blue must be a compliment.