Neil Warnock: I'll always be bitter after Liverpool cost me top-flight place

The Queens Park Rangers boss goes to Anfield on Saturday to face Liverpool for the first time since he blamed them for robbing his Blades side of their place in the top flight in 2007.

Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez controversially picked a weakened side against relegation strugglers Fulham in the penultimate week of that season. The Spaniard made nine changes from the team who knocked Chelsea out of the Champions League four days earlier so he could rest his players for the final with AC Milan, which was to follow in a fortnight.

Fulham picked up a crucial 1-0 win which ensured they finished one point above Sheffield United, who were relegated to the Championship.

Warnock admits he will always hold a grudge and told Standard Sport: "I will never forget Liverpool. I thought about it again when I saw them lose at Fulham with a full strength side the other night. The team Benitez put out four years ago was a disgrace and you can't ever forget anything like that.

"I love Liverpool the club and their manager Kenny Dalglish, they are going to be a real force over the next few years, but I think even their fans were disgusted with what happened. It kept Fulham in the league so I'm sure they were not bothered about Benitez's selection.

"But it will always be there in my mind and I will always be bitter about it. The Premier League have changed the rules now, but that will always be a major disappointment for me."

QPR go into the game having picked up nine points away from home this season, two more than at Loftus Road.Warnock said: "There is no tougher place than Anfield. The players know we have Manchester United too the following week but instead of being fearful, I told them to enjoy it. No-one expects us to get anything so let's enjoy it.

"I don't just want to go there to defend and get beat, we might as well have a go. Any points will be a bonus. Everyone knows the majority of our points are going to come from playing the bottom 13-14 teams."

Warnock will continue to be on his best behaviour despite seeing his side being on the wrong end of several poor decisions by match officials this term.

The 63-year-old used to be punished regularly by the Football Association for his outbursts, but has avoided controversy so far. He said: "I've had my moments, my players would tell you, but it's not for public consumption."

Warnock felt aggrieved last Saturday when Shaun Wright-Phillips had scored a second goal in the 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion only for it to be ruled out, incorrectly, by the assistant referee.

He said: "It's difficult to keep calm, but when you can see television replays and it clearly shows the assistant is wrong you don't have to have a rant.

"A few years ago I'd have gone ballistic, but I've learnt not to do that as I've got older. I am enjoying my job too much and don't want to get into trouble. I get disappointed when mistakes cost us, but just get on with the next game now."