The Spain international has been disciplined by Benitez and told not to return to the Merseysiders' Melwood training ground until Monday, Press Association Sport understands.

Riera launched a critical broadside at Benitez, claiming he did not speak to him, and described Liverpool as a "sinking ship".

Benitez is believed to be fuming about the timing of the interview, which was broadcast less than 24 hours before tonight's crucial Europa League last-16 second leg at home to Lille, and has taken swift action to discipline the player.

The suspension means Riera, who came on as a substitute in Lille last week but was not on the bench for Monday's Barclays Premier League victory over Portsmouth, misses the Europa League second leg tie and also Sunday's trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United.

In his interview, Riera told Radio Marca: "When the coach says nothing to you and you are well, with no physical problems and training well, you cannot help but think it must be something personal."

He also went on to say he felt Liverpool were a "sinking ship" after a poor season which has seen early exits from the title race, Champions League and FA Cup.

However, former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann blasted the 27-year-old for looking to shift the blame from some mediocre personal performances in the current campaign.

"I didn't read too much into the comments because he's a player who has not played too much football over the last six to eight months," said the former Germany international.

"He is clearly frustrated but you have to say since he signed for Liverpool (in the summer of 2008) he has not done enough to really have an opinion on the manager.

"If Riera is not in the team it is probably because he is not doing enough in training or in games.

"The first question you have to ask when you are not playing is have you done enough to be in the team.

"It happens too often with players who can't get in the team and the first thing they do is blame the manager. They should look at themselves.

"I can honestly say I have never had a problem with a manager in 15 years of my career and I would never blame a manager for not playing."

Hamann, who has done some part-time coaching for Liverpool's youth teams, admitted Benitez had his own individual style of management but did not have an issue with it during his two seasons under the Spaniard.

"Every manager has his different styles and he may not talk, as other managers do, to his players, but at the end of the day I always had a professional relationship with him," he added.

"I never really needed much conversation with the manager because his team selection told you everything most weeks.

"I think he was always pretty honest in terms of his team selection, he always did what he thought was best for the team."

Hamann also disagreed with Riera's assessment of the club's current situation.

"I think Liverpool are far from a sinking ship," he told BBC Radio Five Live. "They are having a bad season by their standards but not all hope is lost and there are eight or 10 weeks ahead of them so it is all to play for.

"It (Riera's outburst) is very disruptive and I don't know whether he will play any further part in the rest of the season.

"If he didn't it would be understandable from the manager's point of view."

It is not the first time this season Benitez has had to deal with a disruptive player.

In January he had to haul forward Ryan Babel into his office after the Holland international used his personal Twitter page to criticise Benitez for not selecting him in the squad to face Stoke.

On that occasion, however, a verbal warning was all the was required and the Dutchman has since responded with some improved performances.