THE growing animosity between Bolton Wanderers and Liverpool has hit new heights with Sammy Lee firing a broadside at Rafa Benitez.

Characteristically mild-mannered and a dyed-in-the-wool Red, it goes against the grain for Lee to criticise anyone, never mind his former club.

But he did not mince his words when he accused Benitez of showing Wanderers a lack of respect with his comments in the build-up to Monday's Premiership clash at Anfield.

He was careful to couch his response in diplomatic tones, but the Wanderers' assistant manager spoke of "a lot of people being disappointed and upset" after the Liverpool manager's scathing attack on their playing style.

Benitez, who has repeatedly criticised Wanderers for being direct and over-physical, went even further by suggesting they relied on tactics that would not be allowed in the Spanish League.

"It was particularly scathing, it was hurtful and it was disappointing," Lee said. "But they were his views and I respect his views, but I don't agree with them.

"I have the utmost respect for Liverpool Football Club and I would certainly not want to undermine them in any way, shape or form. I respect other people's wishes, views and values and I have respect for the way Liverpool play.

"I just wish other people would afford Bolton Wanderers - the football club, the manager and the supporters - the same sort of respect."

Sam Allardyce has previously laughed off or been dismissive of such criticism, delighting in the fact that "Little Old Bolton" have repeatedly upset the so-called big boys. But the Wanderers boss, his players and their supporters - judging by the angry response to Rafa's latest rant - believe it is time they were given credit for what they have achieved since establishing themselves in the Premiership: three successive top eight finishes and currently on course for a fourth.

Allardyce said as much in these pages just before Wanderers took nine points from a possible 12 over the Festive period. Now, in a change of strategy, he has taken to firing back at the snipers.

When Glenn Roeder made disparaging comments about Wanderers' "direct" style, Big Sam went public in demanding the Newcastle manager show him more respect. In turn the North-east media are now portraying the Bolton boss they would once have welcomed as their manager, as Public Enemy No 1.

Lee, the boyhood Liverpool fan who had the distinction of playing for the club during its most successful period and later becoming a key member of the backroom staff, says he takes the criticism of Wanderers' playing style as a personal attack on his coaching qualities.

"I do, without a shadow of a doubt," he said. "For me, there's a massive misconception about ths football club that has gone on for some time.

"But that's something that we can't influence. We can only prepare the best we can for each football game, to try to go out and win a match.

"You don't hear us often talk about other people because it's not in our make up.

"Our concern is what we can influence and the only thing we can influence is how our players play."