Jose Reina fears Liverpool could face a "really tough" season should Anfield stars Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres leave the club this summer.

The departure of Rafael Benitez from Liverpool has given way to speculation the club's big-name players could follow suit amid uncertainty over the long-term ownership of the Merseyside outfit.

With co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett attempting to sell the club and reluctant to invest heavily in squad rebuilding, Liverpool run the risk of seeing their playing ranks shorn of star quality.

Spain goalkeeper Reina, currently at the World Cup, appears committed to the Anfield cause, however, having signed a new six-year deal earlier this year, but he admits troubled times lie ahead should the likes of Gerrard and Torres move on.

"Of course there is concern about Fernando and Stevie," he told a number of national newspapers. "Not just them, but others, too.

"Any team would count on Stevie and Fernando as big names and, for us, it's the same.

"Without them, it would be really tough to be up there at the top next season."