Neil Warnock: I’ll never forgive Rafa Benitez

Posted Sunday, December 11, 2011 by Dailystar.co.uk

Neil Warnock: I’ll never forgive Rafa Benitez
Above: Neil Warnock still bears a grudge against Rafa Benitez

Neil Warnock has no problem with Liverpool – but admits he’ll forever hold a grudge against their former manager Rafa Benitez.

The Spaniard was in charge of the Reds in May 2007 when Warnock’s Sheffield United side were relegated from the Premier League, a fate he believes Benitez largely contributed to.

Liverpool were getting ready for a Champions League Final against AC Milan and fielded what Warnock believes was a hugely weakened side against Fulham in their last away game of the league season.

The Cottagers were also in the drop zone but their 1-0 win over Liverpool took them to safety at the expense of the Blades.

Warno insists he will never forgive and forget as far as Benitez is concerned.

The QPR chief, whose Joey Barton-skippered side face Liverpool at Anfield today, said: “I don’t hold a grudge against Liverpool, it is a fabulous club.

“But I was disappointed in Benitez. I’ve always got on with the previous people and Kenny Dalglish is fantastic.

“But I’ll never forgive Benitez for playing what wasn’t even a reserve team.

“I’d understand it if the Champions League was the following week but it was 18 days away. He didn’t give two hoots.

“You don’t ever forget things like that.

“Fulham will as well because they’ve stayed in the Premier League ever since and they were the worst team in the division.”

Benitez’s team at Craven Cottage that day included Jose Reina, Sami Hyypia, Xabi Alonso and Craig Bellamy.

But Clint Dempsey scored the only goal of the game, as he did when the two sides met last Monday.

Warnock remains adamant Benitez scuppered his survival hopes.

Yet he hopes to get his revenge against the Spaniard, who is currently without a job in the game after a brief stint last year with Inter Milan.

No-nonsense Warnock said: “Benitez sent me an email once saying that if I mentioned it again he’d take me to court. Hopefully he’ll be back in the game soon.”