Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has reacted to comments in Pepe Reina's autobiography over his marked silence during the previous Anfield ownership. The Spanish stopper, 29, revealed how he wanted the skipper and fellow local Liverpool boy Jamie Carragher to speak out against the loathed American duo Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

Now Gerrard has revealed why he maintained his silence - it was on the instruction of former manager Rafa Benitez.

He said: "The only reason I didn't speak out was because Rafa didn't want me to.

"I asked him if I should say something but he told me to leave it to him. When a situation like that happens, I don't think it is the players' responsibility to step in.

"If me and Jamie had a go at them, I didn't think the owners were going to say, 'OK then, we'll sell the club for £100million cheaper.'"