Liverpool director Noel White has resigned from the Anfield board after he admitted making comments attacking manager Rafael Benitez last week.

An unnamed director was quoted in a national newspaper questioning the Spaniard's leadership and transfer dealings in the wake of the defeat at Manchester United.

White today owned up to being that man and felt his only option was to tender his resignation.

"For the 21 years I have had the privilege of being a director of this great institution my guiding principle has been to act in the best interests of the club," said White. "In view of the controversy caused by comments in a national newspaper, attributed to an anonymous director, and the effect this has had on the chairman, my fellow directors, the manager and many supporters, I feel the honourable course is to resign."

Chairman David Moores was disappointed to lose the services of White but accepted there was no other option.

He said: "This is very sad for both the club and Mr White, who has been a valuable member of the board for 21 years.

"However, the board considers that the statements made do not reflect its own views and that this is not the Liverpool way of doing business. The proper place for debate is around the boardroom table. It is vital that we pull together at all times whether on the field or off it.

"It has to be said that at the first available opportunity on the day the article appeared Mr White was completely honest in telling me that he was responsible for it. He recognised that this made his position on the board quite untenable and he did the honourable thing by resigning."