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STEVE BRUCE TAUNTS RAFA BENITEZ, LIVERPOOL ABOVE: Steve Bruce 27th March 2010 By Ian Murtagh Your Shout ( 0 ) SUNDERLAND boss Steve Bruce last night taunted Rafa Benitez, stating: We didn’t need a beachball to beat you. Bruce takes his side to Liverpool tomorrow with the Black Cats having rediscovered the form which saw them topple Liverpool and come within seconds of winning at Old Trafford in the space of seven days last autumn. The victory over Liverpool, however, will always be remembered for Darren Bent scoring the most bizarre goal in Premier League history, with his shot striking an inflatable Liverpool beachball thrown on to the pitch by an away fan and totally wrong-footing keeper Pepe Reina. That ball is now in the National Football Museum at Preston’s Deepdale, though Bruce admits he has mixed feelings about the crazy incident. “It took the gloss off a really good performance by us,’’ he said. “I know Liverpool were without both Torres and Gerrard that day, but the best side won hands down. “It wasn’t a fluke that we beat them. The fluke was the goal – and that got all the headlines. “That beachball will be talked about for years to come. I’m sure there will be a few at Anfield this weekend. We’re taking a few ourselves, of course!’’ Bruce reckons Sunderland used up their good fortune for the entire season with that Bent goal, *claiming it’s them and not Liverpool who have suffered since. He added: “Since then we’ve had no luck whatsoever. We lost player after player and decision after decision. “It started with Lee Cattermole’s injury in the second half and there’s been a catalogue ever since, with sendings-off, late goals and injuries, although thankfully we seem to be over it now.’’ As a former Manchester United captain, Bruce is expecting a hot reception. He said: “Whenever I go to Liverpool, I get abuse from pillar to post. I don’t know what they’ll call me this time, but I’ve always done well there. “It’s not the biggest or best stadium, but it is one of THE great places to play and a fantastic place to show off what you’ve got.’’ One player who will be particularly keen to impress is striker Kenwyne Jones – fit again after missing the 1-1 midweek draw at Aston Villa – having been the *subject of alleged Liverpool interest during January’s transfer window. Bruce is still upset at the way Kop chief Benitez allowed the speculation to grow and revealed the two managers have not spoken since their sides last met. He said: “Rafa Benitez must have been given the information from somewhere and I’d have thought he would have had the decency to do the honourable thing and ring me if there was any interest. “But I didn’t speak to him in January. I thought I might have done, but, no, I haven’t. “It unsettled Kenwyne and I had to sit down with him twice and tell him I would not let him go. This guy really needs to shut up, he's just like big Sam, they both chat shit! I really hope we destroy his side on sunday. Then he can stick that beech ball up his arse.