Rafa Benitez: I Don't Do Mind Games. Just Facts

Whatever your take on Rafa's recent comments; be they Ferguson-style mind games, facts as he claims or him 'cracking' Keegan-style—it can't be denied the Spaniard is threatening to turn this title fight into the most heated for years.

He's also managed the hitherto seemingly impossible; make the United/Liverpool rivalry even more acrimonious. A relationship that if you described as hostile, you would be accused of sugar coating it.

Following up last weeks verbal barrage on Mr Ferguson, in which Rafa accused him of;

•     hypocrisy over fixture complaints,

•     being immune from FA censure,

•     intimidating referees before and during matches,

Benitez continued, this time singling out David Gill. The Liverpool manager drew attention to the chief executive of the Old Trafford club also being a key member of the FA, stating Gill, "has a lot of power and control, and is on a lot of committees in the FA," referring to the dual roles of David Gill as, "Something very strange".

A parallel of United's own complaints about the power of Arsenal's David Dein in the FA not so long ago.

Off the pitch Benitez appears to be winning favour with his comments about Ferguson's influence of referees, claiming his phone is overloaded with messages of support.

However in the bigger picture, on the pitch, he is in danger of losing the war.
At the weekend Liverpool could only draw at relegation threatened Stoke, whilst Manchester United swept past Chelsea to cut the gap to 5 points—and the Old Trafford club have two games in hand, both at home.

It's only January but this could become the most explosive title battle for many years.