Source: Daily_Mail
Liverpool's the team to avoid, Fergie, even if you don't rate Rafa
Rafa Benitez landed a five-year contract to extend his stay as Liverpool manager, but didn't make it into Sir Alex Ferguson's top three of his best Barclays Premier League managers. You can't win them all.
It suggests that Benitez has still to earn the respect of Ferguson, even though he has won a European Cup final and may win another this season.
Running scared? Ferguson may want to avoid Liverpool after Old Trafford humiliation
In an interview with the New Statesman, Ferguson describes Benitez's recent attack on the Manchester United manager as 'weird' and then omits him from his trio of favourite current managers in the English game, naming instead Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, Everton manager David Moyes and Aston Villa's Martin O'Neill.
Mind you, the interview took place before Benitez turned up in Manchester and inflicted upon United their worst home defeat in 17 years. Who knows if that would have changed Ferguson's mind? Maybe not.
Liverpool, however, will go into Friday's draw in Nyon as the team to avoid, following that 4-1 victory at Old Trafford and their 5-0 aggregate smashing of Real Madrid. Benitez certainly knows his way around these two-legged European fixtures.
In Steven Gerrard, Liverpool have the player of the competition so far. He is the top scorer with seven goals and that coming from midfield, albeit an advanced attacking role. You sense that, when fit, Gerrard can win a game anywhere, against anyone.
It's what Benitez does next that will be fascinating. Chief executive Rick Parry is departing the club, Rafa has his new contract and he won't ever be more powerful at Anfield.
However, his transfer market performances have often been inconsistent, so how much dare will he show in the summer? Does he need a David Villa, to play alongside the explosive Fernando Torres?
Suits you: Benitez is on a high after a fantastic week
He already has too many mediocre players in his squad, so he should be bold and buy a player who will make a difference and will help shift the power from United and Ferguson. One result does not make you champions of England.
Of the four foreign clubs facing up to the English quartet, Barcelona carry the biggest danger. They can blitz you in a match; one minute you will be in the game, the next minute you are out of the competition.
Bayern Munich, who broke the scoring record with their demolition of Sporting Lisbon in the previous round, will be a challenge, but none of the English clubs would lose any sleep about facing the Germans.
There are easier pickings with Porto, who don't travel so well, and Villarreal making up the last eight.
It's true that you don't get this far without being a decent team, but there isn't too much in these two opponents to worry the Premier League sides, although Villarreal are hard to break down.
Remember, it's a free draw, so the English teams can be drawn against each other and there is no seeding.
All eyes will be on seeing if Fergie versus Benitez comes out of the hat. It would make Manchester versus Inter Milan in the last round look like an afternoon tea dance.
As for my personal top three managers among the current group also discounting Fergie I'd go for Wenger, Moyes and Benitez.
