Albert Riera lashes out at Rafa

[Adryan]

Riera's future under a cloud after Benitez attack
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=757508&sec=england&cc=3888

Albert Riera has indicated a desire to leave Liverpool and launched an outspoken attack on Rafael Benitez  - accusing the Reds manager of failing to communicate with his players and lacking the style to manage Real Madrid.

Riera, who has started only nine league games this season, labelled Liverpool a "sinking ship" after a poor season both domestically and in Europe and has placed his future at Anfield in some jeopardy by so publicly undermining his manager with withering criticism.

The winger is contemplating joining a Russian club in an attempt to underline his claims for a place in the Spain squad ahead of the World Cup. Riera has started only one game for Liverpool since January - the 1-0 Europa League victory over Unirea Urziceni on February 18.

And with his future now a matter for real debate, Riera is likely to have deeply angered Benitez by being so open and forthright in his criticism of the man who brought him to Anfield from Espanyol in an £8 million deal in September 2008.

"He thinks he is in charge and he just turns a deaf ear to everyone else," Riera told Radio Marca. "The dialogue with the players is practically non-existent. There is a lack of tact.

"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.

"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 Benitez has not said anything] is what most hurts."

Riera claims he has been the subject of interest from unnamed Russian clubs and appears keen to explore the possibility of moving to a country where the transfer window is currently open.

"Right now the only market open is the Russian one," Riera said. "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."

In a final criticism of Benitez, Riera also claimed the Liverpool boss would not be in demand should Manuel Pellegrini vacate the Real Madrid job at the end of the season. Riera said: "At Madrid they ask you to win and play lovely football. We [Liverpool] are effective, sure, but we don't play brilliant football."

I have nothing to say.

[redkenny]

Read this before on the Guardian website and couldn't be arsed posting it.

It says to me two things:

1. Rafa is a cold manager and has his favourites.

2. Riera is wanting a game for Spain in the World Cup.

Personally I think Riera is one of the most laziest players I've seen pull on a red shirt. But he's not afraid to have a crack on goal and can show flashes of a good pass towards goal every now and again. Thing is, he only puts the effort in when it suits him.

He was always going to be on a loser weren't he.

[bigvYNWA]

What a f**king dick.

I'll post more consicely when I'm sober.

Agree with Kenny though. I think we all know by now Rafa isn't a warm cuddly manager. But many players respect him, and in general the ones who have a crack at him are the lazy ones who can't be arsed doing a years work. Pennant for example.

[redkenny]

Pennant for example.

You couldn't have hit the nail on the head more there mate. Excellent example.

[crouchinho]

When we first signed him I told him to f**k off to Everton.

I maintain that.

[fields of anny rd]

OUCH!

Look closer to home Albert. Like, Spain 

[Esoteric Mist]

I thought he's been injured for most of the season? Well looks like Reira wont be starting another game, all the more reason to be playing Babel a lot more.

[joemack]

I'm reluctant to believe anything I read in the press about Liverpool and the players, most of the time it's bollocks.

[bigvYNWA]

He only is even considered for Spain because of his time with us as well right?

[Henrik577]

Nice knowing you Albert

[machell88]

Someone, preferably rafa, should tell riera that he's not playing because the people that play in his position are playing well - its called competition.

[fields of anny rd]

He only is even considered for Spain because of his time with us as well right?

yup

[Henrik577]

I'm quite pleased in a way - it means Babel now has a clear run at it between now and the end of the season
Whilst I'm at it - I'm going to say here and now, (so in years to come I can gloat) that Ryan Babel will be considered one of the worlds best!!

[redsonfire]

Well the manager needs the full support he can have, the players need to fully cooperate and all, there must be unity between players and manager, and you come up with this?

I know it's been a tough season, a season to forget where we might not even qualify for Europe, but is this showing solidarity in times of need where the going gets tough?

F**k off.

[7-King Kenny-7]

If you aren't happy then put in a transfer request and f**k off, I assure you that you wont be missed by any of us. He's about as consistent on a pitch as Katie Price is at keeping her legs shut.

Could do with the money we'd get for you anyway for the Mata/Silva jar.

[LFC-LCFC]

Not arsed. Hes sh*t anyway.

Dont let the door hit you on your way out you lazy nomark.

[bigvYNWA]

Not arsed. Hes sh*t anyway.

Dont let the door hit you on your way out you lazy nomark.

I say let it hit him. Needs a kick up the arse the square jawed w*nk stain!

[crzy_jkr@u]

What a poor lad. I'm made up though, simply means more opportunity for Babel which some have pointed out. But seriously, he needs to leave and now. I thought he used to give us something by sticking wide, but its clear that he has no sense at all. He wants Rafa to tell him what to do? Look at his last game, clearly he could tell himself where he messed up. He lost the ball every single time and couldn't control it to save his life. The quicker he's gone the better.

[Dmasta]

Meh, no loss to us f**k off to Russia then.

[jindaldhruv]

Just go f**k off then.
Players should be professional if they have some worries and not come out in the open like this to lash out at managers.

I've heard this before that Rafa doesn't talk to the players to sort out the situations, but what's the point of coming out in the open about it? That's his style of management and it ain't gonna change.

[bigvYNWA]

You know, I'm not sure if Rafa is THAt cold. I'm sure he does tell them what they need to do, but then if they don't do it then he may just leave the onus on them. I dunno. We have seen many prosper under raga, whilst others falter. Think hrs just one of those managers that polarizes players.

All I know is, when players work for him, they reeealy work. And that's why I think he's the right man.

Woops. Wrong thread.

[fields of anny rd]

Can hardly see how this helps anybody

Certainly doesn't help us, definitely not Riera (surely wont play again for us, and sends warning signals to other managers about his strops) Indeed the only person this will help is Ryan Babel, he must be chuckling away, even that "twit" never went that far, he will now be 1st choice lefty, and I feel his performances warrant selection anyhoo.

His words come at the wrong time though, just after what I feel to be our best performance of the season, so his comments over our style of football will fall largely on deaf ears.

[AngelicRayment]

People tends to forget that Footballers are also human, Footballing is also just another job for them as much as it is to most of us.

And there will be times in your life (I've had mine) when we say, f**k you boss, I've had enough of this sh*t (for right / wrong)

And I believe, he doesn't say anything more than what's necessary, and it's not like he does that for a few extra quid from the radio television.

[bigvYNWA]

Footballers are also paid what most 'normal' humans get in a year in a week. Most 'normal' human beings would also be fired straight away if they came into the press and slammed a boss like that. So as much as I know where you are coming from, I will also call 'bullshit' on your post. Football is completely unlike normal business.

[Reslivo]

Do we even know for sure if he said this?

Riera strikes me as the quiet type; keeps himself to himself.

Have my doubts as to whether this article is true.

[Dadorious]

Same here Res mate.

What's with all the name calling allready did we turn into United fans all of the sudden.

I am perplexed only a tad, did he not say a few weeks back he would sign for life?

[ayrton77]

I'll join you two on the fence seat, if you don't mind.

We've seen many stories like this in the past that turn out to have been very old quotes, or entirely misinterpreted for the sake of "journalism".

Nor sure.

[bigvYNWA]

Maybe.. Guess in my drunken haze I jumped on the hate wagon.

Still in that haze, and I'm willing to be proven wrong

Just seems odd. If they were gonna make something up, be better to use someone closer to the present squad wouldn't it? He's not exactly a real bug part of ourteam at the moment.

EDIT: plus the fact he's always struck me as a little lazy.

[REDMAN]

Bye Bye Riera, talk about signing your own deaf warrant.No doubt he will be out in the media, saying he has been mis quoted, and that his words have been losted in translation.

[AngelicRayment]

Footballers are also paid what most 'normal' humans get in a year in a week. Most 'normal' human beings would also be fired straight away if they came into the press and slammed a boss like that. So as much as I know where you are coming from, I will also call 'bullshit' on your post. Football is completely unlike normal business.

Just because they're paid more than most of us does not means they're not humans with feelings.

We're paid more than what 95% of the population in the 3rd world country, but still we at times gossip and badmouthing our boss during lunch time.

And putting the "they earn more than us so they should keep quiet" does not sounds right. The fact that despite they're earning their paycheck regardless of whether they're playing / doing nothing and yet they still want to play is also a positive.

Besides, on the other hand, call it primadona or anything, but if a few words with him keeps him happy and content, surely it's not a big thing to ask from Rafa to do so, it's not like he's gonna humiliate himself doing that? Mind you that Rafa also enjoys "normal" salary, and if he can't even be arsed to do it, he's not doing his job very well.

Riera was bought by him mind you.