
Rafael Benitez has called for a crisis meeting with his Liverpool players in a bid to salavage the club's season.
During Monday night's defeat to Wigan Athletic, several key figures of the Anfield dressing room were accused by the Spaniard of displaying what he described as “negative body language".
The Kop boss has now planned to stage clear-the-air talks with his troops in a bid to eradicate the blame culture that has been evident within the Reds' ranks during recent games.
He said: “I don’t like players showing disappointment with body language, it’s not positive but each player is different. Now though, it is important to show leadership and bring people on board.
“It is important to show the right approach to your team-mates in this situation, and when we spoke we have said we want to improve this.
“Of course, it depends on each player and on the situation. Watching highlights yesterday I could see the keeper blaming the defenders and the defenders blaming the keeper, and sometimes that is part of the game.
“But if you see these things too much it means you are making too many mistakes, and we have said that we have to bring all the people on board.”
Another issue Benitez is hoping to stamp out is the number of needless fouls his side conceded during their loss at the DW Stadium earlier this week and has called for composure from his players.
"It is always easier when things are going well. Now we have made some mistakes, but if we cannot improve playing better football, then the only way you can win is by having everyone together,” continued the Spaniard.
“One thing we spoke about yesterday was committing fouls at the end of the game. We have to keep calm and play better football instead losing our cool and fouling.
“That is something we have to improve and the only way is to explain to them, analyse and try to control it for the next game.”
The fear of failing to qualify for next season's Champions League, in addition to a lack of newinvestment has added further importance to Liverpool's finish to the current campaign.
However, speaking ahead of tonight's Europa League clash with Lille, Benitez refused to discuss boardroom politics but conceded that the club's long-term future could depend on this season's exploits.
He added: “I agree this could be a crucial period that may determine the future of the club.
“We talk about investors, we talk about the new stadium; we talk about all these same things for maybe one or two years now. Everybody is waiting for something to happen and expecting something to happen.
"The main thing for me is to try and concentrate on the football and get the best out of the players.
"That's something I can do, and something I have to do for the fans and the club.
"Inside the club, at the top they have a responsibility and we will try to do out best – that is what we all must do now, in the best interests of the club.”
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Swapnil, Mumbai, India around 1 year, 11 months ago