Defender Rio Ferdinand feels that Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has fallen into wily Sir Alex Ferguson's trap.

Benitez launched a series of tirades at the Old Trafford head honcho but then saw his Liverpool side fall into a slump right after his outburst.

Ferguson, widely known as one of the best managers in England when it comes to mind-games has won the backing of his chief defender Ferdinand.

The England defender said: He fell into the hole. That's something big in football, the psychology."

Although Benitez managed to rally his troops to a 2-0 win over Chelsea at the weekend, they are still behind two points in the table.