Liverpool's Benitez in fresh salvo at 'nervous' Ferguson

Rafael Benitez has re-stoked his feud with Alex Ferguson by suggesting the Manchester United manager has been made "nervous" by Liverpool's late charge for the Premier League title.

Benitez has been involved in a series of verbal spats with Ferguson this season and the Spaniard could not resist another dig after two goals by Fernando Torres inspired Liverpool to an emphatic 4-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers at Anfield on Saturday.

Although United returned to the top of the table by winning at Sunderland later in the day, Liverpool signalled that they will push them to the wire with a performance that was the perfect response to last week's 3-1 home defeat to Chelsea in the Champions League.

Benitez insisted his side's result had left United and Ferguson under pressure.

"Clearly you can see that they are under pressure," said the Liverpool manager.

"Ferguson is always talking so that means that they are under pressure."

Benitez appeared to be referring to Ferguson's comments prior to the weekend's fixtures, in which he had questioned why Benitez had chosen to talk about him ahead of his side's meeting with Chelsea.

"He's got a European tie (against Chelsea) and he's talking about Alex Ferguson," the Scot had said.

"Fantastic! I didn't know I was that important!"

Benitez duly responded in kind.

"Do I take it as a compliment that he's talking about me?" he asked. "I don't care but I know he is nervous so it's good."

Liverpool's fifth successive Premier League win, which also featured goals by Daniel Agger and young David Ngog, left them in good spirits ahead of their trip tomorrow to Stamford Bridge, where they must score three times against Chelsea if they are to reach the Champions League semi-final.

Steven Gerrard spent the Blackburn game on the substitutes bench after his recent groin injury although Benitez revealed he could be fit to start against Chelsea.