Rafael Benítez’s absence from one of the most eagerly awaited press conferences of the season yesterday was put down to “business meetings” to attend to, but the Liverpool manager’s no-show in itself spoke a thousand words.

It was a warning to Sir Alex Ferguson, his Manchester United counterpart, that, as far as Benítez is concerned, the time for talking has stopped.

Ferguson may have accused Benítez of being contemptuous, arrogant and lacking in humility last week, but by refusing to rise to the United manager’s goading, the Spaniard played a blinder and he can only hope that his players do the same against Arsenal at Anfield this evening.

It is perhaps the ultimate irony that Benítez said more by saying nothing than either he or Ferguson have managed in their increasingly venomous war of words, one that has provided a riveting if rather childish sideshow to a title run-in that has gone from a procession to an enthralling nip-and-tuck race in a matter of weeks.

For the third week running, Liverpool will have the opportunity to leapfrog United at the top of the table should they defeat Arsenal and to listen to Sammy Lee, who filled the breach in Benítez’s absence yesterday, there is the conviction that they can pull off one of the great comebacks and deny United the title that would draw the league leaders level with the Merseyside club’s record haul of 18 championships.

“When I look at the players, I see belief,” Lee, Benítez’s assistant, said. “Belief and, in that, determination and a will and desire to go on and be the best they can be.

“That is not making any false or silly promises. They have done it all season and hopefully they will continue to do that over the last six games.”

Steven Gerrard, the captain, will be missing again because of his troublesome groin strain, but even in the absence of their talisman, it is easy to see why Liverpool are infused with self-belief.

They have scored 25 goals in their past nine matches, compared with only ten in the nine games before that, and rather than be dismayed by their elimination from the Champions League last week, have actually taken great heart from the manner of their performance in the scintillating 4-4 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Ferguson was at it again yesterday, reacting to rumours that Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager, may field a weakened team against Liverpool by saying “no matter what team he puts out, they will always try because Arsène is a winner”, but Lee and Liverpool appear unconcerned by anything that the United manager has to say.

That said, Lee refuted Ferguson’s claims that Benítez was arrogant by describing the Liverpool manager as “driven, astute, learned and educated” and expressed surprise that Sam Allardyce, the Blackburn Rovers manager with whom he worked at Bolton Wanderers, had not conveyed his dismay about Benítez’s controversial “cut” gesture immediately after his side’s 4-0 defeat at Anfield.

“I was certainly surprised because we sat together after the match and he said nothing about it,” Lee said. “If he felt that strongly I thought he would have said something to me because we have a good working relationship. I am not getting involved in a slanging match with Sir Alex, but we know what our gestures are meant for — they are meant for our players and affecting what we do.”

Liverpool (possible; 4-2-3-1): J M Reina — Á Arbeloa, M Skrtel, J Carragher, F Aurélio — J Mascherano, X Alonso — D Kuyt, Y Benayoun, A Riera — F Torres.

Arsenal (possible; 4-5-1): L Fabianski — E Eboué, K Touré, M Silvestre, K Gibbs — T Walcott, Denilson, F Fàbregas, A Song, A Arshavin — N Bendtner.

Referee: H Webb.