Jamie Carragher admits he is "hurt" by Liverpool's current plight, but has called on his team-mates not to be too downhearted. The club stalwart was sent off on Saturday as a 3-1 defeat at Fulham condemned the Reds to a sixth loss in seven games in all competitions.

The setback at Craven Cottage has left Liverpool nine points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea and looking unlikely to mount a serious title challenge.

The defeat followed on from a Carling Cup exit to Arsenal and raised further questions over Rafa Benitez's future as manager.

The only bright spot in recent weeks was the 2-0 victory over arch-rivals Manchester United and Liverpool now face a crucial Champions League tie against Lyon on Wednesday.

Another defeat is likely to see Benitez's men miss out on a place in the last 16 of the competition and Carragher acknowledged the importance of the match.

Carragher, who is captaining the team in the absence of the injured Steven Gerrard, admits Liverpool are currently enduring a troubled period.

"These are tough times and it hurts a lot," said Carragher. "This is un-Liverpool like. But it is not just the fans who are disappointed, it is the players, the staff and the manager.

"We have got to get back on track with Lyon, which is another massive game.

"We made up for a few things last week by beating Manchester United. Then we have had two defeats since.

"There is only us on the pitch that can turn it around and there will be a lot of talk about this result again.

"We have got to sort this out with the management and staff. We can't afford to be too downhearted for too long because we've got to get ready for the next game."

However, the manager is coming in for criticism from all quarters. Former Liverpool midfielder Ronnie Whelan has accused Benitez of prioritising the Champions League.

Whelan believes defeat to Fulham was avoidable, 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 RTE. "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."