Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez had a dig at Chelsea rival Jose Mourinho ahead of Sunday's clash.

Asked about Mourinho's suggestion that Liverpool are under more pressure this year because of their summer signings, Benitez said: "The managers are not important. It is much better for the game if we talk about players like Steven Gerrard and John Terry.

"He said he does not talk about other teams, maybe he forgot this time. Anyway, we know we need to win a lot of games because we are a top side.

"But if you analyse who finished at the top of the table last season, and who has spent the most money over the last five years, two teams are ahead of the rest."