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 chiefs attack upped the ante for tonights Champions
League crunch with Liverpool.
He said: Three years without a Premiership title? I dont 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 tonights
semi-final while his side is still fighting for four
trophies.
But Benitez insisted: I dont 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.
Its 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 didnt 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.
