Former Liverpool midfielder Ronnie Whelan has accused manager Rafa Benitez of prioritising the Champions League ahead of the Reds' faltering Premier League campaign.

Benitez saw his side slip nine points behind leaders Chelsea following their disheartening 3-1 defeat at Fulham on Saturday, when they also had defenders Philipp Degen and Jamie Carragher sent off.

Whelan believes the loss was preventable, however, highlighting Benitez's decision to substitute star striker Fernando Torres after an hour when the scores were locked at 1-1.

Torres has been struggling with injury in recent weeks, but regardless Whelan - who won six league title during his career at Anfield - believes the decision to withdraw him reflected Benitez's priorities ahead of the Reds' Champions League trip to Lyon on Wednesday.

"It's all gone wrong with the manager and he's shown exactly where his priorities lie," Whelan told Ireland's RTE Television.

"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.

"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."