Source: Daily_Mail
enitez is still calm while Mascherano insists Reds must beat Chelsea
Rafa Benitez denied he was cracking under the pressure of Liverpool[LNB]'s recent troubles yesterday as Javier Mascherano bluntly claimed even a draw with Chelsea[LNB]tomorrow would eliminate them from the title race.The Liverpool boss finally shed some light on his bizarre post-match rant at Wigan[LNB]on Wednesday, ahead of the Anfield showdown with Chelsea. After seeing his side held to a third successive Barclays Premier League draw and slip further behind leaders Manchester United, Benitez blamed a 'crazy' second half but refused to explain what he meant. It was widely interpreted as evidence he was feeling the strain of trying to revive a faltering title push, but he insisted he was still relishing the challenge. [LNB] No sweat: Benitez tries to push his team on to win at Wigan[LNB] LIVERPOOL v Chelsea: Trio return to starting line-up for crunch Chelsea clash [LNB]Spurs give up on Keane after Liverpool tell them they want £20.3m back in full [LNB]Sportsmail's asks Liverpool boss the question on everyone's lips: Are you cracking up, Rafa? [LNB]Benayoun warns Liverpool: Lose to Chelsea and our title hopes are over [LNB]LIVERPOOL FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET[LNB] 'Maybe there is a slight difference between the meaning of crazy in Spanish and English,' he said. 'All I meant was too many balls were given away and too many fouls conceded. There were too many things like that which I couldn't control and all of it made me unhappy. 'I didn't want to say too much about it at the time and if some people have analysed it and suggested things are getting to me, I won't worry too much about that. I know what is important and all that matters is concentrating on beating Chelsea. 'You are under pressure when you are fighting for your lives at the bottom of the table, not when you are trying to win the Premier League and progress in the Champions League and FA Cup. 'I am pleased to be in this position and feel no more pressure than when I was at Valencia, taking on Real Madrid and Barcelona for the top honours in Spain. I enjoyed that and I am enjoying this.' [LNB] Must win: Javier Mascherano believes anything other than a win against Chelsea on Sunday will end Liverpool's title challenge[LNB]Mascherano pulled no punches alone a defeat — would mean. The Liverpool midfielder told Setanta Sports'website: 'It is now like a final for us. It is win or nothing. A draw would be a disaster because to offer United such an advantage would almost be like giving them the title.' Luiz Felipe Scolari also defended himself yesterday, denying that he should be ashamed of himself for waving an imaginary red card at Middlesbrough midfielder Mohamed Shawky during Chelsea's stormy 2-0 victory on Wednesday. [LNB] Unwritten rule: Scolari waved an imaginary card indicating MohamedShawky should have been sent off[LNB] Shawky had already been booked when Scolari broke an unwritten code of conduct between managers by demanding his dismissal for handball just before half-time. Scolari said: 'I suggested it because it is normal. If that was my player, it would have been a red card. Two yellow cards is a red for my players, but not for other players. It's time to change. Every club comes to Stamford Bridge and they foul us 20, 50 or 60 times and don't get red cards — nothing. 'They want to stop the ball, they want to kill the game. What I did is not a good example for people, but when they kill my team it's good for me.' On Liverpool, he said: 'It's not all about Steven Gerrard — that's like me saying my team is all about Frank Lampard. They have Torres, Riera and Mascherano. Gerrard is a complete player, but others in the team help make him.'[LNB] LIVERPOOL v Chelsea: Trio return to starting line-up for crunch Chelsea clash [LNB]Spurs give up on Keane after Liverpool tell them they want £20.3m back in full [LNB]Sportsmail's asks Liverpool boss the question on everyone's lips: Are you cracking up, Rafa? [LNB]Benayoun warns Liverpool: Lose to Chelsea and our title hopes are over [LNB]LIVERPOOL FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET[LNB][LNB] [LNB]
