Benitez calls for players' comradely spirit

The Spaniard said he saw signs of finger-pointing in Monday's woeful 1-0 defeat at Wigan and has told the squad it must not be allowed to continue.

With an even more difficult task ahead of them against Lille in the last-16 first leg in France, Benitez has called for a show of strength and unity.

"I don't think it is right to suggest there is any lack of trust between the players," he said.

"You can look at last season as an example of that when these same players were doing well, playing with confidence and winning games and there was not a problem.

"But against Wigan the keeper (Jose Reina) was blaming the defenders for something that was wrong and the defenders were blaming the keeper.

"It happens in games, but I don't like it. If you are showing your disappointment with that sort of body language it is sending out the wrong message.

"It is not positive and I don't want to see this sort of reaction.

"I accept that each player is different but it is important to show leadership qualities and the right approach to your team-mates.

"I have told them I want an improvement and that if an error is made the person responsible must be kept on board."

If Wigan - on a newly laid pitch - was a problem for Liverpool, Lille's formidable home record and a patchy playing surface at their Metropole ground provides an altogether different challenge.