The ex-Liverpool star Ronnie Whelan has joined in the criticism of Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez after watching the Reds lose their sixth game in just seven matches, and accuses the Spaniard of giving up on the Premier League title to keep his hopes alive of qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Ronnie laid into his tactics after Benitez made some strange substitutions during the match against Fulham, which they went on to lose 3-1 in a disastrous last half-hour.

“It’s all gone wrong with the manager and he’s shown exactly where his priorities lie.

“He wants to win the European Cup so he can get a job in Europe. For me, his days have got to be numbered at Liverpool.

“Why after such a great result against Manchester United, do you want to take a huge step backwards after losing to Arsenal in the Carling Cup as well? I don’t see where he’s coming from.”

“He’s taken players off who are the only players who are going to give you a chance of winning the game.

“And he drags them all off because he’s got a game on Wednesday.

“When I saw the team I thought he’s not bothered about this game. He’s putting all his eggs in one basket and I can’t see why he’s done it.”

It is certainly looking like a last throw of the dice for Benitez on Wednesday as far as the Champions League is concerned. Perhaps he thought that there was no point in continuing the chase for the Premiership after so many defeats?