Liverpool are facing a legal row over a clearout of backroom staff, it has been revealed.

The News of the World says the Reds are facing a legal backlash after dismissing an incredible SIXTEEN backroom staff as part of the increasingly bloody Anfield Rafalution.

The club sacked 10 Academy staff last week and another six long-serving employees left in the last few days.

Distressed former employees with well over 150 years service between them argue they've been given no valid reason for the termination of contracts and are unhappy with the club's first offers for pay-off packages.

Liverpool are now braced for a series of courtroom challenges to the decision, with most of those sacked preparing unfair dismissal claims.

A Kop source said: "You've heard of the night of the long knives. This is more like two weeks of it and it may not be finished yet.

"Rafa wants a clean sweep, but some of the staff won't go quietly and are taking legal advice. Some of them don't even feel they've been told why they're going."

The first round of departures included reserve coach Gary Ablett, Academy director Piet Hamberg and youth coaches Dave Shannon and Hugh McAuley.

Shannon will have a strong claim against the club having been cited in the recent autobiographies of Steven Gerrard, Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen and Jamie Carragher as a major influence on their careers through the youth ranks.

In recent days the departure of six Melwood staff has been confirmed, including physio Victor Salinas, the club's players' liaison officer who has been at Liverpool for 14 years, and even the kit man.