Liverpool are facing a legal backlash after dismissing an incredible 16 backroom staff as part of the increasingly bloody Anfield Rafalution.
The club sacked 10 Academy staff last week and another six long-serving employees left in the last few days.
Distressed former employees with well over 150 years service between them argue they've been given no valid reason for the termination of contracts and are unhappy with the club's first offers for pay-off packages.
Liverpool are now braced for a series of courtroom challenges to the decision, with most of those sacked preparing unfair dismissal claims.
The Merseyside club face massive compensation bills and that's come at the worst possible time for owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett given their perilous financial situation.
Liverpool argue most of the dismissals are a series of cost-cutting measures overseen by new finance director Philip Nash, particularly at Academy level, with the club trying to reduce staff expenses by up to as much as £2million a year.
Benitez plans to replace some of them by adding to the Spanish contingent at Anfield.
A Kop source said: "You've heard of the night of the long knives. This is more like two weeks of it and it may not be finished yet.
"Rafa wants a clean sweep, but some of the staff won't go quietly and are taking legal advice. Some of them don't even feel they've been told why they're going."
The first round of departures included reserve coach Gary Ablett, Academy director Piet Hamberg and youth coaches Dave Shannon and Hugh McAuley.
Shannon will have a strong claim against the club having been cited in the recent autobiographies of Steven Gerrard, Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen and Jamie Carragher as a major influence on their careers through the youth ranks.
In recent days the departure of six Melwood staff has been confirmed, including physio Victor Salinas, the club's players' liaison officer who has been at Liverpool for 14 years, and even the kit man.
The club sacked 10 Academy staff last week and another six long-serving employees left in the last few days.
Distressed former employees with well over 150 years service between them argue they've been given no valid reason for the termination of contracts and are unhappy with the club's first offers for pay-off packages.
Liverpool are now braced for a series of courtroom challenges to the decision, with most of those sacked preparing unfair dismissal claims.
The Merseyside club face massive compensation bills and that's come at the worst possible time for owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett given their perilous financial situation.
Liverpool argue most of the dismissals are a series of cost-cutting measures overseen by new finance director Philip Nash, particularly at Academy level, with the club trying to reduce staff expenses by up to as much as £2million a year.
Benitez plans to replace some of them by adding to the Spanish contingent at Anfield.
A Kop source said: "You've heard of the night of the long knives. This is more like two weeks of it and it may not be finished yet.
"Rafa wants a clean sweep, but some of the staff won't go quietly and are taking legal advice. Some of them don't even feel they've been told why they're going."
The first round of departures included reserve coach Gary Ablett, Academy director Piet Hamberg and youth coaches Dave Shannon and Hugh McAuley.
Shannon will have a strong claim against the club having been cited in the recent autobiographies of Steven Gerrard, Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen and Jamie Carragher as a major influence on their careers through the youth ranks.
In recent days the departure of six Melwood staff has been confirmed, including physio Victor Salinas, the club's players' liaison officer who has been at Liverpool for 14 years, and even the kit man.
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