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Rafa: You lucky Red Devils

By PHIL THOMAS
Published: Today

RAFA BENITEZ said Manchester United’s Anfield smash and grab was down to one thing — luck. Benitez insisted it was down to good fortune.
He said: “These kinds of goals come down to good luck or bad luck.

You could try the same move 100 times and score

“We gave the ball away too easily in the middle — and you cannot make those kind of mistakes against a top side. But I think it comes down to the fact that we were not lucky and United were.

“You could see that there wasn’t much difference between the sides on the pitch. We had some chances but they didn’t have too many, apart from two or three counter-attacks.”

Benitez was reluctant to put the boot in on his own side, despite them blowing what few half- openings they did manage.

He said: “Maybe we didn’t create a great deal but they didn’t create much either. When you get games between the top sides that is the way. It isn’t easy.

“Usually in the games between top teams, it comes down to one small detail and this time it went for them.”

Benitez even refused to write off his team’s chances of a first Premier League crown. He added: “It is still too soon to start saying anything about the title but this has clearly made things harder for us.”

The manager’s clear-the-air talks with Liverpool’s American owners were last night described as “positive”.

A statement said: “A meeting was held involving Tom Hicks, George Gillett, Foster Gillett, Rick Parry and Rafa Benitez which was wide-ranging and positive.

"The discussions were amicable and constructive. All present are united in their desire to bring further success to the club.”