SPORTS
Rafael Benitez hits back at Roy Hodgson jibe
Baku, November 2 (AZERTAC). Inter Milan coach Rafael Benitez says Roy Hodgson should focus on managing Liverpool rather than criticising his transfer record as Reds boss.
Last week, Hodgson bemoaned the number of "expensive failures" at the club.
But speaking before Inter`s match with Tottenham, Benitez said: "He`s talking about things that he doesn`t know."
And following previous cryptic comments about a bottle of milk, the Spaniard added: "Some people cannot see a priest on a mountain of sugar."
His Spanish colloquialism is another way of saying that Hodgson cannot see the truth staring him in the face.
It derives its meaning from the ease with which a priest`s black robes could be spotted against the white of the mountain of sugar.
Inter play Spurs at White Hart Lane on Tuesday in a Champions League Group A match, having beaten Harry Redknapp`s side 4-3 at the San Siro a fortnight ago.
Prior to that match, Benitez criticised Liverpool`s former owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett as well as former managing director Christian Purslow.
And describing his departure from Anfield last summer, he said: "We have a saying in Spanish: `White liquid in a bottle has to be milk.`"
On Monday, the former Liverpool boss was in equally combative mood and refused to accept Hodgson`s criticism of "expensive failures" such as £20m midfielder Alberto Acquiliani and £11.5m winger Ryan Babel.
"I think that Mr Hodgson, he doesn`t understand," insisted Benitez. "Every single press conference is even worse than the last one. He`s talking about things that he doesn`t know. And some people cannot see a priest on a mountain of sugar.
"Maybe he hasn`t been in Liverpool too long. We gave the fans their pride again. We fought for the fans, we fought for the club and we fought for our players. So maybe he cannot understand this.
"With £10m net spending, I left that squad with £300m value, 13 internationals.
"So, instead of talking about flips and flops, he has to concentrate on his job, try to do his best and not talk about the level of his players or the new players.
"Concentrate, try to do your best because it will be the best for the club and it will be the best for the fans."
Responding to Hodgson`s accusations that Benitez had banned Kenny Dalglish from Liverpool`s Melwood training ground during his time in charge, the Spaniard argued: "I brought back Kenny Dalglish to do a role in the club and Christian Purslow gave him another role."
Turning his attention to Tuesday`s match, Benitez suggested Spurs might have lost to Manchester United in the league on Saturday because they had one eye on the match with Inter.