Whelan calls for Benitez sacking 14/01/2010 - 11:33:13
Former Liverpool captain Ronnie Whelan has called for the club to axe manager Rafael Benitez.
Pressure on the Spaniard increased last night as Liverpool were dumped out of the FA Cup by Championship strugglers Reading in a third-round replay at Anfield.
Liverpool, one of the pre-season title favourites, have endured a difficult campaign having also slipped out of contention in the Premier League and been knocked out of the Champions League.
Whelan, who made 493 appearances for the Reds and captained them in their 1989 FA Cup final win, believes the team now need a new direction.
The ex-Republic of Ireland international, 48, told BBC Radio 'Five Live': "The way Liverpool have been playing, they have not been good. They have lost 10 of the last 20 games.
"He should have gone a long time ago. They have got to do it now.
"Do they bring in someone until the end of the season? Kenny Dalglish is back at the football club. Could he do it until the end of the season and see what happens?"
Another former Liverpool and Ireland midfielder, Jason McAteer, admits Liverpool can have no excuses for their latest embarrassment.
Reading did need a late penalty to claim an equaliser but they went on to secure a 2-1 victory after extra time with a Shane Long winner.
McAteer told LFC TV: "Sometimes you just can't defend that kind of performance. It was poor.
"Liverpool just didn't really create anything and to be fair the better team won on the night."
Liverpool were weakened by the absences of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres for the majority of the game after the key pair were both forced off with injury.
McAteer now has serious concerns for the team should their talismanic captain and star striker face time out.
He said: "They are the two players who can create something out of absolutely nothing, they can produce a bit of magic.
"You just look around the team and when those two are not there, who is going to create that bit of magic? Where is that bit of leadership and quality?"
