It is a rivalry that began in 2004 and, 11 years later, is still rumbling on between the Chelsea boss and Real Madrid manager.

Here, Sportsmail takes a look at the best bits from the feud.

 

It all started in the summer of 2004 when both Liverpool and Chelsea were looking for new managers. Mourinho had just won the Champions League with Porto while Benitez guided Valencia to a La Liga and UEFA Cup double.

Both clubs were keen on Mourinho, who seemed destined to join Liverpool when he said in April that year: 'Liverpool are a team that interests everyone and Chelsea does not interest me so much because it is a new project with lots of money invested in it. I think it is a project which, if the club fail to win everything, then (Roman) Abramovich could retire and take the money out of the club. It's an uncertain project. It is interesting for a coach to have the money to hire quality players but you never know if a project like this will bring success.'

But the Portuguese manager joined Chelsea, and Liverpool, meanwhile appointed Benitez. Little was it known that this would be the start of an epic rivalry between managers and clubs.

The first real showdown between Mourinho and Benitez came in the 2005 Carling Cup final. A Steven Gerrard own-goal gifted Chelsea an equaliser, and Mourinho's men went on to win in extra-time in Cardiff.

The Chelsea boss was dismissed for celebrating Gerrard's own-goal by holding his finger to his lips in front of Liverpool supporters, something which he claimed was aimed at the press. Mourinho had already become rather disliked at Anfield.

Luis Garcia's controversial goal settled a tense Champions League semi-final as Liverpool ended Chelsea's European campaign. Mourinho's side arrived at Anfield on the back of winning the Premier League and as big favourites to advance to the final in Istanbul.

After a 0-0 draw in the first leg at Stamford Bridge, Garcia scored the only goal of the tie but questions remain as to whether the ball actually crossed the line.

After the match, Mourinho said: 'The best team lost. After they scored only one team played, the other one just defended for the whole game.

'This was a copy of the Carling Cup final in Cardiff, where Liverpool scored early and then defended. The linesman scored the goal. No-one knows if that shot went over the line and you must be 100 per cent.'

Liverpool and Chelsea were drawn against each other in the group stage of the 2005-06 Champions League. The war of words between both managers had continued over from the summer with Benitez saying that Chelsea are not exciting and not among the world's best clubs. Mourinho, meanwhile, led his Chelsea team to Anfield in September still sore about Garcia's ghost goal the season before. He said: 'They didn't score in the semi-final against us but I accept they beat us.'

The Champions League clash between the two teams at Anfield finished in a 0-0 stalemate and Benitez claimed that Chelsea were scared of Liverpool. Mourinho's response was guiding his team to an emphatic 4-1 win on Merseyside in a Premier League showdown a few days later. The Chelsea boss said: 'They (Liverpool) have to defend or wait for a mistake and a goal. When they play against us face to face they can't win. We deserve more respect, not from Liverpool but from people in general.'

(dailymail.co.uk)