Rafael Benitez launched an astonishing attack on Manchester United counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson.
Rafa claims that Sir Alex has repeatedly escaped punishment for verbally attacking referees.
Benitez blasted: “We had a meeting in Manchester with managers and the Football Association about the Respect campaign.
“And I was very clear - forget the campaign because Mr Ferguson was killing the referees, killing Martin Atkinson, killing Mr Keith Hackett."
Benitez's extraordinary outburst came after a journalist asked Benitez for his response to Ferguson suggesting that Premier League leaders might let nerves get the better of them in the Premier League run-in.
He said “I was surprised by what has been said but maybe they are nervous because we are at the top of the table."
And the Liverpool boss heavily criticised Sir Alex Ferguson's comments at the apparent favouritism in the Premier League fixtures.
Rafa said "Two years ago we were playing a lot of early kick-offs away on Saturdays when United were playing on Sundays. And we didn’t say anything.
“Now he is complaining about everything, that everybody is against United.
"But the second half of the season will see them playing at home against all the teams at the top of the table, it is a fantastic advantage.
“But at Christmas, United played on the 29th and the rest of the teams played on the 28th. We were away against Newcastle two days after playing Bolton.
"They were playing about 40 hours later, they were not complaining then.
“And about his behaviour with referees. The Southampton manager, he knows how Mr Ferguson works and how he works, he was very clear.
"I am not playing mind games, just facts.
“If he wants to talk about fixtures and have a level playing field, as you say in England. There are two options if we don’t want more problems with fixtures.
“One is the same as in Spain, the draw for the first part of the league is known, everyone knows which weekend.
"In the second-half everyone plays the opposite, so you all know.
“Sky and Setanta have the right to choose their games and it will be the same for everyone. So Mr Ferguson will not be complaining about fixtures and a campaign against United.
“Or there is another option. That Mr Ferguson organises the fixtures in his office and sends it to us and everyone will know and cannot complain. That is simple.
“We know what happens every time we go to Old Trafford and the United staff.
"They are always going man to man with the referees, especially at half-time when they walk close to the referees and they are talking and talking.
“All managers need to know is that only Mr Ferguson can talk about the fixtures, can talk about referees and nothing happens.
“We need to know that I am taking about facts, not my impression. There are things that everyone can see every single week.
“Are they under pressure? Maybe they were not thinking that we would be at the top of the table in January.
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