Riera - Benitez never talks to Liverpool Players

[Matt]

This is possibly true but I think we have seen Benayoun come through a similar period and it actually looks like Babel might have too. Perhaps it is tough love that makes some players into the type of player who don't need the good times to thrive.

You learn a lot about people when the chips are down and I suspect that Rafa feels that he has gained a lot of knowledge about the current squad. I remember talk at the beginning of the season that Riera was responding badly to being asked to cut inside more by Rafa (presumably by e-mail) - perhaps his unwillingness to change and early season poor form have counted against him.

Whatever this is all about - PR or not - I can't really understand players going public about their frustrations. It has never got Babel anywhere.

This club is in too much turmoil to have players breaking ranks, I'd be sorry to see him go in the summer but then again he's on the list of 5 or 6 most expendable players.

[dww]

The other point about Benayoun is that he's Israel's captain so I'd imagine he has a bit more steel about him - he's a player that has that additional responsibility. Granted, at the moment, Babel seems to have got his head around the need to put a shift in on the pitch - however this could be down to the World Cup being on the horizon.

The world cup may be helping but in all the interviews I've seen he has mentioned Rafa telling him what he needs to do to get in the team and him trying to do it. Perhaps the world cup acted as a spur for him to go and ask but it is clear that the effort has impressed Rafa. Perhaps Riera needs to go and ask and show a willingness to change - he has a world cup place to play for too.

The Benayoun point is fair. I used him more as an example of a flair player with grit.

[Matt]

The other point about Benayoun is that he's Israel's captain so I'd imagine he has a bit more steel about him - he's a player that has that additional responsibility. Granted, at the moment, Babel seems to have got his head around the need to put a shift in on the pitch - however this could be down to the World Cup being on the horizon.

Babel's shift in attitude is remarkable really. Celebrating goals, getting stuck in, acting like part of a team, giving postive interviews...long may it continue, for whatever reason. But again, he's on the list of 5 or 6 expendables

[Norbs]

If what Riera says is true, then is it not something that concerns you, more than just saying 'oh well, we will get over it' ?

What if Riera's views are shared by others in the squad? What if Torres or Reina starts feeling the same way? Just **** them off too?

Another take on it from the Guardian, with other quotes included:

Torres and Reina wont because they've got more integrity. Riera's started the ball moving for a move away from the club and, yes, we'll get over it.

You just don't wash your dirty linen in public. Those that do will get the axe

[Norbs]

Liverpool winger Albert Riera has hit out at Reds boss Rafa Benitez over a lack of communication with his struggling squad.

The Anfield outfit have endured a miserable season and their only remaining hopes of silverware hang in the balance as they bid to overturn a 1-0 deficit at home against Lille in the second leg of their Europa League last 16 clash on Thursday night.

Spain international Riera has made just two appearances for Liverpool since January, both of which came in Europe's second tier competition, and he is becoming frustrated by his lack of action.

The 27-year-old, an £8million signing from Espanyol in 2008, does not understand why he is out of the picture and is eager for more action to secure a place in Spain's World Cup squad.

Personal

He 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.

"If I'm doing something badly and you are my boss, and you value me, then you are going to come and tell me what I have to do to play again. This is what hurts me.

"You see that the team are not doing well and there are no changes. It's a little frustrating because you see that you can help.

"I've been here two years and I know how he (Benitez) is. He's never sorted out a situation with a player by talking with him. He thinks he's in charge and everything else falls on deaf ears.

"His dialogue with the players is practically nil."

Offers
Regarding his future, Riera knows his hopes of featuring at South Africa in the summer depend on him playing first-team football.

"I would like to be here for the rest of my career, but players live to play. My objective is to go to the World Cup and for this I have to play," he said.
"Right now the only market open is the Russian one, I have offers from two teams and, looking at my situation, that has made me reflect a lot."
LINK

The lad thinks he's Spains answer to Michael Owen

[ElRobbie]

For a player to say the club is a sinking ship is out of order he deserves the exit door, he may well have some valid points but there is a way to go about it and this isn't it. This is disrespectful to the fans calling the club a sinking ship. If he would rather play in Russia than for Liverpool then that says it all.

If he thinks he can make a difference then why not get his head down and prove it rather than spouting off, the club and the fans don't need this sortof outburst right now.

[Norbs]

For a player to say the club is a sinking ship is out of order he deserves the exit door, he may well have some valid points but there is a way to go about it and this isn't it. This is disrespectful to the fans calling the club a sinking ship. If he would rather play in Russia than for Liverpool then that says it all.

If he thinks he can make a difference then why not get his head down and prove it rather than spouting off, the club and the fans don't need this sortof outburst right now.

Well put

[Craig_H]

Could it be that we need to draw a more complex picture than merely stating that Rafa is a great or rubbish man manager? We have had very different views come out from a variety of players. Babel seems to have pretty regular talks with Rafa if his interviews are to be believed. Perhaps Rafa likes players to be proactive, perhaps Riera has breached his trust in some way?

For me, Rafa's personality isnt condusive to handling 'sensitive' players who need to be told that they're good, and need to be appreciated.

I think manager's need to be able to deal with different players according to that player's personality, and how that player needs to be handled. This is how a manager gets the best out of his players, but rafa doesnt seem keen on working this way.

Consequently, he potentially loses players who might've actually been very useful, if handled the right way.

As for Babel - it's less than 3 months before a world cup and Babel has obviously decided to keep things zipped and knuckle down, in order to play more and hopefully go to South Africa. Riera should be doing the same, and he shouldnt be going to the press (assuming these quotes are true) with his gripes, so he's in the wrong there. But that doesnt mean Rafa's methods of dealing with all players the same way, are correct.

[the rev leeroy brown]

"You see that the team are not doing well and there are no changes. It's a little frustrating because you see that you can help.

"I've been here two years and I know how he (Benitez) is. He's never sorted out a situation with a player by talking with him. He thinks he's in charge and everything else falls on deaf ears.

"His dialogue with the players is practically nil."

that sums up everything i've always thought of rafa. not a man manager and therein lies the biggest problem we have.

totally agree with riera especially about not making changes. rafa himself even said he wont make changes because changing a losing team could do more bad than good ( when talking bout bringing in aqua ). wish to **** he would listen to the players and do what needs to be done.

[Scratch]

Sounds to me like someone has been told that they are surplus to requirements.

[cream]

Well done Riera, you cunt. I bet this has nothing to do with you punching Pacheco in training. I suppose hitting a fellow team mate is Ok then, especially one of the youngsters. Cunts like that need to be shipped out quickly.

[dww]

For me, Rafa's personality isnt condusive to handling 'sensitive' players who need to be told that they're good, and need to be appreciated.

I think manager's need to be able to deal with different players according to that player's personality, and how that player needs to be handled. This is how a manager gets the best out of his players, but rafa doesnt seem keen on working this way.

Consequently, he potentially loses players who might've actually been very useful, if handled the right way.

As for Babel - it's less than 3 months before a world cup and Babel has obviously decided to keep things zipped and knuckle down, in order to play more and hopefully go to South Africa. Riera should be doing the same, and he shouldnt be going to the press (assuming these quotes are true) with his gripes, so he's in the wrong there. But that doesnt mean Rafa's methods of dealing with all players the same way, are correct.

Isn't possible that many players who require the arm round the shoulder approach just aren't suitable for top level football?

I agree there may well be times when Rafa's approach isn't the best. That said in general I think a uniform handling of players - i.e. at a distance is better than having close personal favourites. It doesn't necessarily mean that players aren't favoured more that I think it is more likely to be based on their attitude and ability. Perhaps that isn't how it goes and perhaps it does favor the self motivated but I think the differing types of players who have thrived under Rafa at Valencia and with us would suggest that it is a perfectly viable strategy.

[Chazza]

Well done Riera, you cunt. I bet this has nothing to do with you punching Pacheco in training. I suppose hitting a fellow team mate is Ok then, especially one of the youngsters. Cunts like that need to be shipped out quickly.

When did this happen, this week?

[cream]

When did this happen, this week?

Yeah, what a ****ty thing to do.

[the rev leeroy brown]

Well done Riera, you cunt. I bet this has nothing to do with you punching Pacheco in training. I suppose hitting a fellow team mate is Ok then, especially one of the youngsters. Cunts like that need to be shipped out quickly.

Yeah, what a ****ty thing to do.

any link or proof or is this just bull**** gossip?