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<DIV class=pagedate>Updated: Aug. 11, 2006 </DIV><H1>Let battle commence</H1><DIV class=bylinebox style="MARGIN-TOP: 8px"><DIV class=bylinetext>Jon Carter
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The war of words between Rafael Benitez and Jose Mourinho has been hotting up ahead of Sunday's Community Shield clash at the Millennium Stadium. <DIV class=phinline>
<DIV style="WIDTH: 205px"><DIV class=photocred2>AlexLivesey/GettyImages</DIV><DIV class=photosubtext>Rafa and Jose in action.</DIV></DIV></DIV>
Both teams have something to prove in the season's traditional curtain-raiser, and should field strong squads in a bid to claim bragging rights for the start of the Premiership next weekend. Mourinho, while on Chelsea's tour of the US recently, fired the first shots of what is expected to be another season of baiting aimed at Anfield. The Chelsea boss Claiming Arsenal and Manchester United have bought better in the summer and worried him more than Liverpool, he again branded the Reds as defensive and boring. Benitez however, was quick to distance himself from the potential slanging match, saying: `You should all know me by now, I do not comment on other managers but concentrate on my own team. I prefer not to waste my time with such things. 'I promise you I am not concerning myself too much about what Chelsea are doing.' Both teams have strengthened their squads over the summer, and will give their new signings their first taste of Premiership opposition on Sunday. Chelsea have spent nearly £50 million bringing Andriy Shevchenko, John Obi Mikel and Michael Ballack to the club, while they're also in negotiations to bring in Arsenal leftback Ashley Cole in one of the most drawn-out transfer saga's of the summer. Liverpool have also spent big, capturing Jermaine Pennant, Craig Bellamy, Fabio Aurelio and Gabriel Palleta for nearly £20 million. While also trying to lure Dirk Kuyt from Feyenoord in a reported £10 million deal. Neither team have enjoyed a successful pre-season campaign, tasting defeat and failing to impress against weaker opposition. Of the two, Liverpool will be more prepared after their 2-1 Champions League qualifier victory against Maccabi Haifa on Wednesday. While Chelsea are still struggling for fitness, with the likes of William Gallas still yet to make an appearance in pre-season. Liverpool have proved to be Chelsea's bogey team in recent contests and Benitez remains confident of success in the tactical battle against Mourinho. Often able to frustrate the Portuguese tactician, Benitez has ground out wins in the FA Cup and Champion's League in recent seasons, although Mourinho had the edge in the last Premiership campaign, beating the Reds 4-1 at Anfield and 2-0 at Stamford Bridge. Both sides will be keen to avoid the scoreless affairs that dogged their Champion's League campaign's last term, although they are both expected to play a 4-5-1 formation with a lone striker and two wingers. The season-opener is traditionally a cagey contest and there might prove to be more action on the touchline if Benitez and Mourinho get involved. Both will be keen to get one-up on the other. •Soccernet highlights some of the key battles to look out for on Sunday: <H4>ANDRIY SHEVCHENKO vs. JAMIE CARRAGHER</H4>Shevchenko arrived from AC Milan in a deal worth around £30 million after establishing himself as one of the finest strikers in the world. He turns 30 this season and is under a little pressure to prove he is worth such a huge fee, but the truly word-class Ukrainian is also tipped to set the Premiership alight with his potent finishing an
</DIV><DIV style="FLOAT: left"></DIV></DIV><BR clear=all><DIV class=text11 style="BACKGROUND: #fff"><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top>
The war of words between Rafael Benitez and Jose Mourinho has been hotting up ahead of Sunday's Community Shield clash at the Millennium Stadium. <DIV class=phinline>
<DIV style="WIDTH: 205px"><DIV class=photocred2>AlexLivesey/GettyImages</DIV><DIV class=photosubtext>Rafa and Jose in action.</DIV></DIV></DIV>
Both teams have something to prove in the season's traditional curtain-raiser, and should field strong squads in a bid to claim bragging rights for the start of the Premiership next weekend. Mourinho, while on Chelsea's tour of the US recently, fired the first shots of what is expected to be another season of baiting aimed at Anfield. The Chelsea boss Claiming Arsenal and Manchester United have bought better in the summer and worried him more than Liverpool, he again branded the Reds as defensive and boring. Benitez however, was quick to distance himself from the potential slanging match, saying: `You should all know me by now, I do not comment on other managers but concentrate on my own team. I prefer not to waste my time with such things. 'I promise you I am not concerning myself too much about what Chelsea are doing.' Both teams have strengthened their squads over the summer, and will give their new signings their first taste of Premiership opposition on Sunday. Chelsea have spent nearly £50 million bringing Andriy Shevchenko, John Obi Mikel and Michael Ballack to the club, while they're also in negotiations to bring in Arsenal leftback Ashley Cole in one of the most drawn-out transfer saga's of the summer. Liverpool have also spent big, capturing Jermaine Pennant, Craig Bellamy, Fabio Aurelio and Gabriel Palleta for nearly £20 million. While also trying to lure Dirk Kuyt from Feyenoord in a reported £10 million deal. Neither team have enjoyed a successful pre-season campaign, tasting defeat and failing to impress against weaker opposition. Of the two, Liverpool will be more prepared after their 2-1 Champions League qualifier victory against Maccabi Haifa on Wednesday. While Chelsea are still struggling for fitness, with the likes of William Gallas still yet to make an appearance in pre-season. Liverpool have proved to be Chelsea's bogey team in recent contests and Benitez remains confident of success in the tactical battle against Mourinho. Often able to frustrate the Portuguese tactician, Benitez has ground out wins in the FA Cup and Champion's League in recent seasons, although Mourinho had the edge in the last Premiership campaign, beating the Reds 4-1 at Anfield and 2-0 at Stamford Bridge. Both sides will be keen to avoid the scoreless affairs that dogged their Champion's League campaign's last term, although they are both expected to play a 4-5-1 formation with a lone striker and two wingers. The season-opener is traditionally a cagey contest and there might prove to be more action on the touchline if Benitez and Mourinho get involved. Both will be keen to get one-up on the other. •Soccernet highlights some of the key battles to look out for on Sunday: <H4>ANDRIY SHEVCHENKO vs. JAMIE CARRAGHER</H4>Shevchenko arrived from AC Milan in a deal worth around £30 million after establishing himself as one of the finest strikers in the world. He turns 30 this season and is under a little pressure to prove he is worth such a huge fee, but the truly word-class Ukrainian is also tipped to set the Premiership alight with his potent finishing an
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