Yossi Warns Rafa: Play Me Or I'll Leave

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Yossi Benayoun - Liverpool (PA)

Yossi Benayoun has seen limited game time in the 2008-09 campaign, having started just four Premier League games to date.

The resurgence of Dirk Kuyt on the right flank and the impressive form of new signing Albert Riera on the left means the Israel captain has had to put up with being a late substitute more often than not.

But while the 28-year-old is determined to make the grade at Anfield, he insisted that he will move if his current bit part status does not change as the season progresses.

"If the situation remains the same over the next few months, and I'm not getting more time in the middle, I will not want to continue as a Liverpool player," Benayoun said on Israeli television.

"The fact that I have spent so much time on the bench, while there has been a winning formula on the pitch, tells you everything.

"I hope it changes for me, because I want to stay and prove myself, but it won't be easy.

"I know I'm at one of the biggest clubs in the world, and that there are many good players like Ryan Babel and Jermaine Pennant who sometimes aren't even in the squad, but it's not much fun sitting on the bench all the time."

Benayoun arrived at Liverpool last year after a £4 million move from West Ham United, where he had established himself as a reliable and talented playmaker.

The former Racing Santander midfielder received mixed reviews during his first term on Merseyside. Some hailed his consistency, while others bemoaned his consistently poor performances.

All told, however, Yossi tallied 11 goals - including a pair of hat-tricks - and contributed heavily to the Reds' Champions League run, most notably creating Fernando Torres' equalizer at Stamford Bridge in the semi-finals.

"I thought I did well last season to contribute so many goals and assists," Benayoun continued.

"But there seems to be more competition for places this time, and if I continue to be on the sidelines, I would not want to stay, even though it is Liverpool."

And a return to the continent is certainly not out of the question: "Maybe I will have to accept that and start learning another language, such as Italian or French or even Russian."

--Mike Maguire, Goal.com