Albert Riera has hit his manager where it really hurts: the truth. The Spanish winger, signed for £8 milliom from Espanyol, has described Liverpool as a sinking ship that manager Rafa Benitez can do nothing about. Liverpool has lost nine times in the Premier League this season and could miss out on a Champions League spot.
Riera, who also played for Manchester City, says that Benitez’ treatment of him is personal and that the winger’s dreams of playing in the FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa this summer will die if he does not play.
“When you cease to count in this way it has to be something personal, because it is so. If I’m doing something wrong and you are my boss and count on me, you expect to be told what to do to play. That’s what it hurts,” Riera told Spanish radio station Marca.
“The team is not good and there is no change. It’s frustrating because I can help and he [Benitez] does not use me.
“Torres and Reina encourage me. I’m told that if I play as I know I can I’ll be in the team but a week goes by and another and another and you see that this is not the case. There’s a lack of tact. There shouldn’t be communication problems between Spanish and my English is not so bad.
“I’d be here my whole career, but the players live to play. My goal is to go the World Cup and for that I have to play.”
Riera also slammed Benitez for failing to communicate with his players despite the team’s huge problems this season. Liverpool, who must overcome a first leg deficit to Lille in tonight’s Europa League match, face stiff competition from City, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa for fourth place this season.
“I’ve been here two years and he [Benitez] never manages the situation by talking to players. He thinks he is the boss and everyone else is deaf. The dialogue with the players is practically zero,” he added.
“We don’t play nice football. Effective, yes but not nice. This year has been difficult and nothing has changed. When you see a ship sinking and do not change …”
Rant’s advice to you, Albert, is the same for all rats on a sinking ship. Jump!
RANT, probably about right for united fans that, anyway 6m was what we actually paid for Riera, it was only yesterday I was reading on another ‘RANT’ blog of united’s, some muppet going on about how Liverpool get away with action from the FA, it seems that United and their fans should concentrate on the match Sunday, and since you will have had a good weeks rest, you should be well up for it, get turned over however, well that would be unthinkable wouldnt it? You talk about a sinking ship, however financially United and Liverpool are in the same boat, Yank owners dragging you under and now your arse is twitching, your history is coming to an abrubt end but enjoy it while you have it.
Hey Gaz, Apparently Winston Churchill said “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” I am not so sure about the enthusiasm but there are definitely strong notes of delusion and fantasy among you! Yes, all of at United think Stevie Me is a W******, don’t worry about the match on sunday, i would give up the match for the title that sends us above!!! And as far as being in the same boat is concerned, the only difference is we are a very, very successful team with loans, you’re a piss poor team with loans! Go Rafa!!!!
Hey Gaz, United is the present…Liverpool is in the past, history! Rafa forever!