After United beat Porto, I reckoned that Fergie would lay off Liverpool till at least next week, and focus on Everton in the meantime.

It seems that the old man is smarter and sharper than yours truly – not only has he set out the most delicious of baits that Rafa would be a saint not to take up, but he’s also managed to rope in Sam Allardyce with his bait, causing the man they call Big Sam to complain about being ‘ignored’ and ‘dismissed’ by Rafa Benitez.

Newsflash – respect or no respect, Rafa’s job number one is to win titles for Liverpool. Now admittedly he’s not been terribly successful at that but he’s done a far better job than, say, Big Sam at Newcastle or Everton in their European travels. If he has more important things to do than have a couple of drinks with Big Sam, then so be it.

Mr Allardyce – simple rule – don’t go where you’re not invited, or if you go uninvited, don’t complain if no one shows up to greet you. If Rafa wanted you there, he’d have asked you in the first place.

Will Rafa respond to Fergie’s rant though I hope he doesn’t, because this is no time to be playing tit for tat in the press.