Riera slams Rafa in the Spanish Press

[MFletcher]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/mar/17/albert-riera-liverpool

 

Albert Riera wants to leave Liverpool after falling out with Rafael Benítez

 

• Liverpool winger fancies a move to Russia

• Riera believes Liverpool do not play good football

 

 

* Sid Lowe in Madrid

* guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 17 March 2010 21.50 GMT

 

 

Albert Riera has indicated that he wants to leave Liverpool after revealing that his relationship with Rafael Benítez has deteriorated to the point where he thinks the manager has something against him.

 

In an outspoken attack on Benítez, Riera said the manager "turns a deaf ear" to his players and described Liverpool as a "sinking ship". He also questioned whether his fellow Spaniard was suited to the Real Madrid job because his style of football is not attractive enough.

 

Riera has played only twice for Liverpool since the end of January, making one start and one substitute's appearance in the Europa League, and the midfielder is giving serious consideration to asking for a transfer in an effort to earn a place in Spain's World Cup squad.

 

"When the coach doesn't say anything to you and you are in good shape with no physical problems and training well, you have no choice but to think [the fact you are not playing] is personal," Riera said. "The team's playing badly and needs changes. If I'm doing something badly and you're my boss and you trust in me, then you would tell me what I am doing wrong and what I have to do to play. [The fact that Benítez has not said anything] is what most hurts.

 

"Right now the only market open is the Russian one. I have offers from two clubs and, given my situation, that has made me reflect a lot ... My objective is to go to the World Cup and for that to happen I have to play."

 

Riera said he was not alone in having communication problems with Benítez. "He thinks he is in charge and he just turns a deaf ear to everyone else," he told Radio Marca in Spain. "The dialogue with the players is practically non-existent. There is a lack of tact."

 

Asked about Benítez's credentials for Madrid, where Manuel Pellegrini is not expected to be in charge next season, Riera said: "At Madrid they ask you to win and play lovely football. We are effective, sure, but we don't play brilliant football."

 

 

I felt this deserved a new topic rather than being buried in the transfer thread.

[Arazel]

Well thats it then.

 

1) Riera is gone.

 

2) If its true what he mentioned about other players getting frustrated about lack of dialogue then its the end of Rafa.

[MFletcher]

He's quite the volatile character, so I'd take what he says regarding other players with some caution.

 

Suffice to say the timing is horrible, and if he never plays for the club again after this then I really don't give a s***.

[5InIstanbul]

F*cking brilliant.

[Michael]

I have a feeling he may find Rafa communicating with him tomorrow.

[Rimbeux]

Well that's going to help him get games and go to the world cup, brilliant decision

[Red]

Give it time for the "I've been mis-quoted" story to come out, followed by the "I've spoken with Rafa and explained the situation" report...

[Noel Street]

[Riera said he was not alone in having communication problems with Benítez. "He thinks he is in charge and he just turns a deaf ear to everyone else," he told Radio Marca in Spain. "The dialogue with the players is practically non-existent. There is a lack of tact."

 

 

he f***ing is you bell

[Cheesecake]

no great loss, he's not exactly a world beater is he? so much for unity and all that b******s. Off you f*** to Russia then, your return of 5(?) goals in almost 2 years will not be missed

[Mike]

unfortunate to go public...regardless how true it is

[Cobs]

no wonder Babel's getting a game now....

[Gunga Din]

there have been all sorts of rumours flying about regarding Riera having been sent home from training for fighting with Pacheco earlier in the season. he has hardly featured since those rumours surfaced either

[Paul]

What ever happened to keeping things in house?

[Dule]

Well at least he didn't go on Twitter i guess

[Frosty Jack]

Aquilani getting a game was the final straw for him.

[Red]

Well at least he didn't go on Twitter i guess

 

May he should have, he might've got a game.

[CaptainXabi]

Well that's going to help him get games and go to the world cup, brilliant decision

2 matches since January - doesn't have much to lose.

[Superjay]

Just a thought vert but maybe just maybe it has to do with the fact you have been dogs**t all season? I've seen some bad performances in my time but that "performance" against unirea in the first leg was possibly the worst I've seen from a Liverpool player. Time and time again he picked out unirea players with a pass, even his 5 yarders were going to them.

 

Looks like we will get a few bob for him and yossi (another who has not been at the races moreso than others) from the ruskis this summer.

 

Might actually be able to afford a whole new left side.

[stressederic]

I liked Riera as well.

 

Stupid f***ing idiot.

[New York Red]

Overrated. d****ead. No big loss.

[Nebraska Red]

this kind of thing just fuels the media who will be all over this afte Torres's comments.

 

somebody is doing a poor job with the players in allowing them to make these comments.

 

never would have happened in the good auld days.

[New York Red]

this kind of thing just fuels the media who will be all over this afte Torres's comments.

 

somebody is doing a poor job with the players in allowing them to make these comments.

 

never would have happened in the good auld days.

 

Shanks would have said "That's Liverpool's mouth, not your mouth"

[John am Rhein]

another winger heads for the great prancing meadow in the sky

 

another winger heads for the great prancing meadow in the sky

[Hodgson for Chelsea]

There goes the last shred of width we ever had on the football pitch

[John am Rhein]

There goes the last shred of width we ever had on the football pitch

 

at last!