Liverpool winger Albert Riera has lifted the lid on the crisis club, branding the Reds a "sinking ship". Riera revealed huge rifts in the Reds' dressing room and claimed boss Rafa Benitez did not speak to players when there were problems.

He told Radio Marca: "This year has been difficult and he has not changed at all. When you see the ship is sinking and you don't change...

"I've been here for two years and I know how he is as a person. He's never resolved a situation with a player by speaking with him.

"He thinks he is the boss and turns a deaf ear to everyone else.

"The dialogue with the players is practically zero."

Riera, 27, is fuming with Benitez after starting just once since mid-February and is worried that a lack of games might cost him a World Cup spot with Spain.

The £8million signing from Espanyol added: "When you stop counting as a player like that, it must be something personal.

"It's frustrating because you see you can help and he doesn't let you."