Riera - Benitez never talks to Liverpool Players

[Lee]

Not sure where the rumour originated but Dave Usher on TLW has some information apparently:

http://www.liverpoolway.co.uk/forum/...verpool-7.html

Cheers buddy

[Kenneth]

that threads massive can you just c and p his info? pretty please

Nobody is going to do that for you. No way.

[red g]

Nobody is going to do that for you. No way.

done allready see what you get if you be nice.......and side with Craig on Rafa out

[Chazza]

Daily Fail reporting Riera has been suspended

Albert Riera suspended and fined as Rafa Benitez gets tough over Liverpool outcast's attack

Rafa Benitez has responded to Albert Riera's outspoken attack on him by suspending the Liverpool winger until Monday.

In what amounts to a two-game ban for Riera, the £6million signing from Espanyol has been told to stay away from Liverpool's preparations for Thursday's Europa League last 16 return leg against Lille and Sunday's Old Trafford showdown with Manchester United in the Barclays Premier League.

Riera, who will also be fined, has infuriated Benitez with the timing and contents of an interview with a Spanish radio station, in which he claimed he had been ostracised, accused his fellow-Spaniard of lacking communication skills and described Liverpool as 'a sinking ship'.

Benitez is acutely aware that overturning a 1-0 first-leg deficit against Lille and repeating last season's Old Trafford triumph could be crucial to salvaging some respectability from a desperately disappointing campaign, as well as earning himself some breathing space.

Liverpool's under-pressure boss does not want any distractions and feels let down by Riera, who will be sold at the first opportunity.

According to sources in Spain, Benitez rang Riera's agent, with news of the suspension, as soon as he heard of the interview and verified it had taken place.

Riera was subsequently informed that he would not be allowed back in Liverpool's Melwood training ground until Monday, when he can expect to feel the full force of Benitez's wrath.

Riera claims he has received two offers from clubs in Russia, the homeland of his wife Yulia Koroleva.

He could be set for a swift exit as the transfer window in Russia, which was supposed to close last week, has been extended to April 8

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...ts-attack.html

[Redspin]

He shouldnt have favourites though, that's the point. Players should get picked on merit.

I imagine that's precisely why the under-performing Riera has played so infrequently, ie he hasn't merited being picked - apart from the fact that the injury-prone ****er's been out for two lengthy spells and done just about **** all when he has played.

He won't be missed if he goes

[fah-q]

Didi Hamman: Shut the **** Albert!*

Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann has launched a withering attack on Reds winger Albert Riera after he went public with his frustration at not getting a game under manager Rafael Benitez.

The Spain international said Benitez did not speak to him and claimed he bore a personal grudge. However, Hamann, who made 283 appearances for the Merseysiders and memorably came on for the second half in their Champions League final comeback against AC Milan in 2005, said Riera should look at himself.

"I didn't read too much into the comments because he's a player who has not played too much football over the last six to eight months," said the former Germany international.

Hamann continued: "He is clearly frustrated but you have to say since he signed for Liverpool (in September 2008) he has not done enough to really have an opinion on the manager.

"If Riera is not in the team it is probably because he is not doing enough in training or in games. You have players these days who complain about managers and I think these players should look at themselves.

"The first question you have to ask when you are not playing is have you done enough to be in the team.

"These days it happens too often with players who can't get in the team and the first thing they do is blame the manager.

"I can honestly say I have never had a problem with a manager in 15 years of my career and I would never blame a manager for not playing."

In his interview, Riera told Radio Marca: "When the coach says nothing to you and you are well, with no physical problems and training well, you cannot help but think it must be something personal."

He also went on to say he felt Liverpool were a "sinking ship" after a poor season which has seen early exits from the title race, Champions League and FA Cup.

Press Association








* I may have paraphrased that slightly.

[peekay]

A longer version of the above article with some great quotes from the legend.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/exliverpool-star-hamann-hits-out-at-riera-1923567.html

Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann has launched a withering attack on Reds winger Albert Riera after he went public with his frustration at not getting a game under manager Rafael Benitez.

The Spain international said Benitez did not speak to him and claimed he bore a personal grudge.

However, Hamann, who made 283 appearances for the Merseysiders and memorably came on for the second half in their Champions League
final comeback against AC Milan in 2005, said Riera should look at himself.

"I didn't read too much into the comments because he's a player who has not played too much football over the last six to eight months," said the former Germany international.

"He is clearly frustrated but you have to say since he signed for Liverpool (in September 2008) he has not done enough to really have an opinion on the manager.

"If Riera is not in the team it is probably because he is not doing enough in training or in games.

"You have players these days who complain about managers and I think these players should look at themselves.

"The first question you have to ask when you are not playing is have you done enough to be in the team.

"These days it happens too often with players who can't get in the team and the first thing they do is blame the manager.

"I can honestly say I have never had a problem with a manager in 15 years of my career and I would never blame a manager for not playing."

Hamann, who does some part-time coaching for Liverpool's youth teams, admitted Benitez had his own individual style of management but said he did not have an issue with it during his two seasons under the Spaniard.

"Every manager has his different styles and he may not talk, as other managers do, to his players but at the end of the day I always had a professional relationship with him," he added.

"Every player is different and he does speak to players. If he didn't speak to Riera on this particular occasion there must have been a reason.

"I never really needed much conversation with the manager because his team selection told you everything most weeks.

"I think he was always pretty honest in terms of his team selection - he always did what he thought was best for the team."

In his interview, Riera told Radio Marca: "When the coach says nothing to you and you are well, with no physical problems and training well, you cannot help but think it must be something personal."

He also went on to say he felt Liverpool were a "sinking ship" after a poor season which has seen early exits from the title race, Champions League and FA Cup.

Hamann disagreed, however, telling Radio Five Live: "I think Liverpool are far from a sinking ship.

"They are having a bad season by their standards but not all hope is lost and there are eight or 10 weeks ahead of them so it is all to play for.

"It (Riera's outburst) is very disruptive and I don't know whether he will play any further part in the rest of the season.

"If he didn't it would be understandable from the manager's point of view."

[Craig_H]

I imagine that's precisely why the under-performing Riera has played so infrequently, ie he hasn't merited being picked - apart from the fact that the injury-prone ****er's been out for two lengthy spells and done just about **** all when he has played.

He won't be missed if he goes

That's not a problem, but it's clear Rafa has his favourites too and some players get picked regardless of form.

I wont go into the Lucas debate with you, because we both know where each other stands, but Kuyt has certainly been in the side plenty of times when his recent performances hadnt merited it.

In Riera's case, i wouldnt argue with his omission from the team, but if he's wanting to be told where he needs to improve, and is being given short shrift from Rafa, that's not really fair on him.

Likewise, if he's out of the side down to not performing well, that's fine but it's reasonable for him to expect to be given a recall at some point, when others are playing ****e - you cant stay out of favour forever and never be given another chance.

[cream]

I imagine that's precisely why the under-performing Riera has played so infrequently, ie he hasn't merited being picked - apart from the fact that the injury-prone ****er's been out for two lengthy spells and done just about **** all when he has played.

He won't be missed if he goes

Abso-****in-lutely

[darkstar]

DIDI

[Assassin]

Didi Top bloke, says it how it is

[Bender]

Reira suspended by Liverpool fc

[Shaggy]

1910: We are still waiting on line-ups from Anfield tonight, but one player who won't be featuring for Liverpool against Lille is Albert Riera. Reports are coming in that the Spanish winger has been suspended by his club for his outburst about Rafa Benitez.

[Craig_H]

Never ceases to amaze me how thick footballers can be.

Do they really think they can make comments like that without them being picked up on?

Especially in this case, to spanish media

Does Riera think Rafa doesnt keep up with spanish media?

If he wants to play games, in order to go to SA, he's gone about it in probably the most idiotic way possible.

[Shanks]

Liverpool FC winger Albert Riera suspended over Rafa Benitez criticism

LIVERPOOL FC winger Albert Riera has been suspended by the club for his outspoken attack on manager Rafael Benitez and the club.

The Spain international has been disciplined by Benitez and told not to return to the Merseysiders’ Melwood training ground until Monday.

Riera launched a critical broadside at Benitez, claiming he did not speak to him, and described Liverpool as a “sinking ship”.

Benitez is believed to be fuming about the timing of the interview, which was broadcast less than 24 hours before tonight’s crucial Europa League last-16 second leg at home to Lille, and has taken swift action to discipline the player.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liver...0252-26063714/