Chelsea’s Drogba Hits Back At Liverpool Boss Benitez, Vows To Give ‘Best Response’

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has warned Liverpool that he will give his ‘best response on the pitch’ after being riled by Rafa Benitez’s accusation that he had a dossier of the Ivorian’s 'diving' antics.

The Blues take on the Reds tonight in the Champions league semi-final second leg at Stamford Bridge. The Anfield clash had ended in a 1-1 draw.

Drogba told French newspaper L'Equipe: "Benitez was a manager I respected a lot. He has really disappointed me.

"Until now, I found him very competent and also classy. A top boss would never go so low to attack a player."

Benitez had criticised the powerful Blues forward over his conduct after last week's first leg, but Drogba refuted the claim.

He said: "If he wants me to stay on my feet, maybe he should tell his defenders to stop hitting me.

"In the first leg, (Jamie) Carragher and the other one (Martin Skrtel) didn't stop. And not just with me. I finished the match with bruises everywhere.

"Last year, I broke a rib against Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final. Strangely, that escapes the statistics of Benitez.

"It will not affect me. If I fall, I will always get up. The best response I can give will be on the pitch."