Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez launched an amazing Kevin Keegan-like tirade at Sir Alex Ferguson as the mind games began in earnest in the title race.

Amongst the accusations were claims that the Man U boss is “the only manager who will not be punished” for the verbal abuse of referee’s and that he gains an unfair advantage in respect of fixture arrangements.

Rafa’s comments came in response to a journalists question about Ferguson’s suggestion that Liverpool may start to suffer from nerves during the closing months of the season. It immediately brought comparisons to the outburst from Kevin Keegan, the then Newcastle United manager, during a live broadcast following a league match.

Clearly, the man who has guided United to Champions League glory twice in the last decade also retains the upper hand in the psychology stakes as well. Benitez will no doubt hope that Ferguson is made to swallow his words in May if the Anfield outfit can claim their first English league title in twenty years. He may not be alone. Some in the game probably agree with his every word.