Blackburn Rovers boss Sam Allardyce reckons the criticism Rafa Benitez vents is a smoke-screen for the failings of his Liverpool FC side.
Benitez last week mocked the playing style of his Allardyce's Rovers side.
Big Sam has in turn suggested the Spaniard’s volleys are a study in obfuscation.
He said: "It was a good cover-up by Rafa because he knows how bad his side were and that was repeated against Wigan on Monday night.
"He's got personal with it for many, many years now. That's why I don't like him and the feeling is probably mutual.
"I don't get personal with him; I get into him and under his skin, yes, but that's all part of the game.
"The tit for tat between me and Rafa will probably go on until one of us is no longer a Premier League manager.
"I've managed to psyche out one or two here and there and that's how the Premiership has evolved over the last 20 years.
"But no, Pep Guardiola has not been in touch yet!"
Allardyce goes on to say that Liverpool are unlikely to finish fourth and qualify for the Champions League.
He added: "The last time one of the big four didn't finish in the top four it was Liverpool - Everton got that spot - and I think this time it looks pretty difficult having lost against Wigan.
"They are having to rely on other teams slipping up now.
"They have a wealth of experience and that may be a telling factor when the nerve ends start jangling. We saw what happened to Tottenham a few years ago with the famous 'poisoned lasagne' scenario - which was obviously never the case - and they let it slip.
"But I think it might be more difficult for Liverpool this time around because there are more teams involved. There's Manchester City, Aston Villa and Tottenham in there and if Everton keep rolling on you might be surprised to see them making a late run."
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