Source: Eurosport
Rafa Puts Pressure On United
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez believes Manchester United could still crack under the pressure in the title run-in.[LNB]United responded to Liverpool's earlier defeat of Hull on Saturday by recovering from 2-0 down to maintain their three-point lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League with a 5-2 win over Tottenham.[LNB]It was the fourth game in succession United had kicked off having temporarily fallen below Liverpool at the summit.[LNB]United also have the extra advantage of having a game in hand but Benitez's men have played the more exhilarating football over the past two months and the Spaniard is determined to maintain the momentum.[LNB]"We have to keep on winning," Benitez said. "This football is always difficult and United are a good team, but if we keep winning I think maybe they will feel the pressure.[LNB]"You never know in football. We have done our job here."[LNB]Liverpool were given a tougher test than they might have expected at the KC Stadium as Hull, battling for survival, pushed hard before eventually going down 3-1.[LNB]The Tigers shaded the first half but Liverpool edged ahead before the break with a ferocious strike from Xabi Alonso after his initial attempt, from a controversially-awarded free-kick, had been blocked.[LNB]Liverpool asserted further control through Dirk Kuyt after Hull's Caleb Folan was sent off but Geovanni pulled one back for the hosts.[LNB]It set up a nervous ending but Kuyt, making his 100th Premier League appearance, finished the game when he stabbed home his second from close range late on.[LNB]Benitez paid tribute to Hull for making life difficult in Liverpool's first game since last week's draining 4-4 draw with Arsenal but was also unhappy with the condition of the surface.[LNB]"It was a terrible, terrible pitch, really difficult to play," he said. "The ball was like a rabbit and it is difficult to catch a rabbit.[LNB]"It was dry and long, terrible. If you lose you can say that is an excuse but we won, so I can explain it was difficult to play on.[LNB]"Pepe Reina was under pressure every time he tried to play the ball.[LNB]"We needed to be patient and try to pass the ball. We were a little bit under pressure.[LNB]"Credit to them, they played with 10 players and they were still pushing."[LNB]While United face Arsenal in the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday, Liverpool now have a week to prepare for their next game against Newcastle at Anfield.[LNB]Benitez is hopeful captain Steven Gerrard will be fit to return after missing the last four games - in which Liverpool have scored 15 goals - with a groin injury.[LNB]
