BENITEZ BRANDS EVERTON 'SMALL TEAM'
It may have been the bitter frustration at probably seeing runners-up spot disappear but when Rafael Benitez described Everton as a "small team" he uttered a remark that will haunt him all his days as Liverpool manager.
Benitez, frustrated by what he perceived as negative tactics from the Blues, first said it in a TV interview, and then repeated it in the media conference.
Given the opportunity to explain he said: "After a game when a team comes to Anfield and plays a top side like that, looking for a draw, what else can you call them?"
Everton, who beat Liverpool 3-0 with a display of pace and skill at Goodison Park in September, made it four points out of six against their nearest neighbours with a performance this time of tenacity, bravery and sheer hard graft.
Those lost four points could well end Liverpool's dreams of catching Chelsea and taking the runners-up spot, but it is Benitez's perceived put-down of the men from across Stanley Park that will live longer in the memory than this match.
Benitez said: "Playing against a small team it is not always easy when they have nine men behind the ball. One team wanted to win while one team came not to lose.
"We controlled the game and had all the possession, and they had one chance from our mistake. After that we controlled everything."
The Spaniard's grasp of English may not provide him with the subtlety needed in such circumstances but Everton and their fans will be offended by the "small team" remark.
Blues chief executive Keith Wyness walked down the steps from the directors' box muttering about the implied insult, and in this city with such rivalry, it was a word Everton will never let Liverpool forget.
The one Everton chance Benitez referred to came on the hour to Andrew Johnson, surprisingly fit to play after a bad ankle injury. He will be joining up with England, confirmed boss David Moyes.
He would have gone to join his England colleagues in higher spirits had he put away an effort, from a Steve Finnan error, that saw him have two shots in the box, the second superbly saved by Jose Reina.
Benitez admitted to being very disappointed with the result, saying: "We had possession, passing, three strikers and Jermaine Pennant and John Arne Riise wide to provide crosses.
"We were doing a lot of things right and were attacking all the time."
But despite all the time Liverpool spent in Everton's half, Toffees 'keeper Tim Howard had very few genuine saves to make.
He held powerful drives from Xabi Alonso and Dirk Kuyt, but in front of him Alan Stubbs, Joseph Yobo and Joleon Lescott dealt superbly with the barrage of crosses.
Moyes said: "It was a job well done, and it is hard to come to Anfield with the form Liverpool are in and get anything. Chelsea found that when they lost here last month.
"We limited them to crosses and long shot, and my defenders were outstanding."
Confronted with Benitez's "small team" jibe, Moyes hit back, saying: "I would like to have come to Anfield and put on a bigger show, but there is a £100m gap between the clubs.
"It is a massive gulf in the amount of money they have spent on their squad and us on ours. We are looking to bridge that gap but we have taken four points from them this season, so we must be doing something right.
"And we could have won this. I have had a look at Johnson's chance on the TV and he did superbly to get into the right position, and on any other day that shot would have got past the keeper.
"It was a gamble putting Andy into this game after his injury and such a short time for treatment, and maybe if he had been fully fit he would have scored with that effort.
"But I can't be happier with my team, they fought and worked all through the game and restricted a very good side to barely any clear-cut chances."