Rafa Benitez has claimed that Gary Neville and Manchester United were actually the ones 'cracking up' when Liverpool almost pipped them to the Premier League title in 2009
After an irked Benitez ranted about 'facts' and criticised Sir Alex Ferguson during his now infamous press conference in the January of that year,
Benitez was accused of letting the pressure get to him.
That was when the Reds were enduring a run of three league games without a win, while United were enjoying an 11-match winning run which put them on course to lift a third successive title
That run came to an end in March, as Benitez's Liverpool came to Old Trafford and humiliated Ferguson's side 4-1,
Goals from Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard, Fabio Aurelio and Andrea Dossena revived Liverpool's hopes, a day which has lived long in Benitez's memory
During a conversation with ex-United captain Neville on the Stick to Football podcast, the former Liverpool boss recalled: "
Benitez
“We went to Old Trafford, and there was a boy with a father, he has a big banner, 'Rafa is cracking up' - and we beat Manchester United 1-4. You were cracking up!”
"Sir Alex Ferguson was so worried about us, that he was using everything he has in his book to create [that pressure environment].
“When we were ahead you had two games in hand, because you played in the Club World Cup.
“Then you came back, and you won the games and obviously you were doing well.”
"Cracking up, I was joking, because the last 11 games we drew one against Arsenal 4-4 at home, and we won 10.
“So, we were not cracking up - you had extra-time, and then you play seven minutes extra and you score against Aston Villa with [Federico] Macheda."
That near-perfect run of form towards the end of the campaign wasn't enough
Liverpool slumped to seventh in 2010 before Benitez was sacked. Returning to the aforementioned presser
Benitez said
“We played four games after the international break and Champions League games.
"We play four games at home, and eight games away. Manchester United were playing eight games at home, even on Sunday - and four games away. Why?
“Ferguson was complaining about, "Oh we played the second part of the league against the top sides at home."
"Yeah, everybody wants to play at home for the second part of the league! So, he was complaining.
“And then I say, "Oh you can't decide the fixtures, you cannot decide what you want. But we were playing four games away, 12:45pm kick-off. And I have to defend my club."
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