If Rafa Benitez didn't have enough on his plate, with his own contract talks and mapping out the best possible way to bring the title to Merseyside, then news of Martin Skrtel's apparent homesickness will certainly prove a headache he could do without.

The Slovakian defender who had been in sensational form prior to his bad knee injury he picked up against Manchester City, has reportedly confided in his former Zenit teammate Kamil Contofalsky that he is struggling to adjust to life in Liverpool.

Speaking to Russia's 90 Minutes: 'I talk a lot to Martin on the phone and he said he would like to return to Zenit because it's very boring for him in England.

'He feels lonely there, doesn't have any friends. And also the local paparazzi follow him all the time.

'There's no such camera madness in Russia and Martin confessed to me that life in St Petersburg was better for him.   

'But that doesn't mean he regrets his move to Liverpool. He made it into the main squad quickly and played top class football which is much better than in the Russian premiership.'

This news will be a huge blow for Benitez and the Spaniard will certainly hope that the team will now rally around the big defender and do everything to make him feel welcome and settled. Rafa needs the whole squad focused and determined for the title push ahead and any unrest or potential negativity will have to be nipped in the bud and quick.