18.03.2010
Riera likens Liverpool to sinking ship, blasts Benitez
Spanish international Albert Riera says he is considering leaving Liverpool, which he likened to a "sinking ship" under manager Rafael Benitez, because of the lack of time he gets on the pitch.
"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 during an interview Thursday with Spain's Radio Marca.
"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," he added.
The 27-year-old, joined Liverpool from Spanish side Espanyol in August 2008, has made just two appearances for the club since January, both of which were in the Europa League.
"When you stop counting on me in this way, it has to be something personal, that is the way things are. 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 must to do to play again. This is what hurts me.
"I have been here two years and I know how he is. He has 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."
Riera weant on to fault Benitez for not changing his strategy after a poor season which has seen Liverpool suffer early exists from the Champions League and FA Cup and said it was unlikely that the coach would end up at Real Madrid one day as some press reports have suggested.
"This has been a difficult year and nothing has changed. When you see that the ship is sinking and you make no changes...it is hard," he said.
"At Madrid, aside from winning, they ask that you play well. That is why I think it would be difficult for (Benitez) to join the team. We have never played beautiful football, effective yes, but we have not displayed brilliant play," he added.
Source: © 2010 AFP - Paul Ellis
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