Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has tried to defuse the ongoing row with Manchester United counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson by denying reports claiming he thinks the Reds are better than the Red Devils. Benitez was quoted on Friday insisting the Reds were a better team than the Old Trafford and he was the only one willing to stand up to Sir Alex Ferguson.

Those comments sparked a reaction from United boss Ferguson, but Benitez has since refuted the reports.

"It is not true," Benitez told Sky Sports News. "I did not say this.

"It was a normal conversation with a good journalist and then has been twisted a little bit."