<DIV id=articleHead><H2>YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE !!!</H2><H2>Rafa plays down Jose rift</H2><DIV class=subarticleHead>By Simon Fudge - Created on 14 Aug 2006</DIV></DIV><DIV class=NewsTeaser>
<A onclick="" href="http://www.skysportsdvdshop.co.uk/catalog/index.php?cPath=25_46" target=_new lid="LIVERPOOL PROFLIX BOOKSIt's a modern take on an old idea. They have just been added to our range." el="http://www.skysportsdvdshop.co.uk/catalog/index.php?cPath=25_46">LIVERPOOL PROFLIX BOOKS
It's a modern take on an old idea. They have just been added to our range.</A></DIV><DIV id=articleBody><DIV id=articleRHS><DIV class=articleImage></DIV><DIV class=header><H2 class=sIFR-replaced><EMBED class=sIFR-flash src=http://images.skysports.com/images/swf/fonts/futura.swf width=150 height=16 type=application/x-shockwave-flash sifr="true" flashvars="txt=RELATED LINKS&textalign=left&offsetTop=-1&textcolor=#ffffff&hovercolor=#CCCCCC& ;w=150&h=16" bgcolor="transparent" wmode="transparent" quality="best"></EMBED><SPAN class=sIFR-alternate>Related links</SPAN></H2></DIV><DIV class=articleLinks><H3>Team Pages:</H3><UL><LI>Liverpool <LI>Chelsea </LI>[/list]</DIV></DIV><P class=big>Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has played down suggestions of a rift between himself and Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.
The former Valencia boss did not shake hands with his Portuguese counterpart following Sunday's 2-1 win in the Community Shield at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
The pair's so-called rivalry has been well documented, as Benitez and Mourinho did not shake hands last season after The Reds beat Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final at Old Trafford.
On Friday, Mourinho claimed he had no problems with the Spanish tactician and Benitez was quick to dismiss any suggestions of animosity with Mourinho.
"He decided not to shake hands in the last game and this time, he was behind me and he did not say anything," Benitez said.
"I was focusing on my team and my supporters and maybe he was thinking about his team and his supporters.
"For me, it is not a problem. After the FA Cup, he decided not to shake hands.
"But I am not thinking about this. I am thinking about my team and how to improve.
"I'm happy. It was difficult for us. It is the beginning of the season and the team is not 100 percent fit, but their work-rate was fantastic.
"It is always important to win against top sides. To win another trophy is good for the confidence."
Mourinho, meanwhile, stated Benitez had plenty of chances to exchange post-match pleasantries with him.
"Football is 90 minutes," Mourinho said. "If we shake hands, if we kiss, do you think that is important?
"I was on the pitch from the last whistle until the moment Liverpool received the cup. I was there the whole time." </DIV>
<A onclick="" href="http://www.skysportsdvdshop.co.uk/catalog/index.php?cPath=25_46" target=_new lid="LIVERPOOL PROFLIX BOOKSIt's a modern take on an old idea. They have just been added to our range." el="http://www.skysportsdvdshop.co.uk/catalog/index.php?cPath=25_46">LIVERPOOL PROFLIX BOOKS
It's a modern take on an old idea. They have just been added to our range.</A></DIV><DIV id=articleBody><DIV id=articleRHS><DIV class=articleImage></DIV><DIV class=header><H2 class=sIFR-replaced><EMBED class=sIFR-flash src=http://images.skysports.com/images/swf/fonts/futura.swf width=150 height=16 type=application/x-shockwave-flash sifr="true" flashvars="txt=RELATED LINKS&textalign=left&offsetTop=-1&textcolor=#ffffff&hovercolor=#CCCCCC& ;w=150&h=16" bgcolor="transparent" wmode="transparent" quality="best"></EMBED><SPAN class=sIFR-alternate>Related links</SPAN></H2></DIV><DIV class=articleLinks><H3>Team Pages:</H3><UL><LI>Liverpool <LI>Chelsea </LI>[/list]</DIV></DIV><P class=big>Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has played down suggestions of a rift between himself and Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.
The former Valencia boss did not shake hands with his Portuguese counterpart following Sunday's 2-1 win in the Community Shield at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
The pair's so-called rivalry has been well documented, as Benitez and Mourinho did not shake hands last season after The Reds beat Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final at Old Trafford.
On Friday, Mourinho claimed he had no problems with the Spanish tactician and Benitez was quick to dismiss any suggestions of animosity with Mourinho.
"He decided not to shake hands in the last game and this time, he was behind me and he did not say anything," Benitez said.
"I was focusing on my team and my supporters and maybe he was thinking about his team and his supporters.
"For me, it is not a problem. After the FA Cup, he decided not to shake hands.
"But I am not thinking about this. I am thinking about my team and how to improve.
"I'm happy. It was difficult for us. It is the beginning of the season and the team is not 100 percent fit, but their work-rate was fantastic.
"It is always important to win against top sides. To win another trophy is good for the confidence."
Mourinho, meanwhile, stated Benitez had plenty of chances to exchange post-match pleasantries with him.
"Football is 90 minutes," Mourinho said. "If we shake hands, if we kiss, do you think that is important?
"I was on the pitch from the last whistle until the moment Liverpool received the cup. I was there the whole time." </DIV>
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