Former Liverpool winger Riera speaks out on his fallout with Benitez
Former
Liverpool winger Albert Riera insists the media was to blame for the fallout with Rafa Benitez which led to his exit from Anfield.
The Spaniard was fined and transfer listed back in March 2010 after a scathing attack on Benitez during an interview with a radio station in his homeland.
Riera, who was out of favour at the time, claimed the manager was in charge of a “sinking ship” and critised Benitez’s man-management, saying “his dialogue with the players is practically nil” and that there “must be something personal” about his absence from the team.
Asked about his relationship with the current Newcastle boss, Riera told Anfield HQ: “The only problem was the media.
“I was frustrated when I was not included in the Spain squad for the World Cup in 2010 because I hadn’t had a lot of playing time in the Premier League for like two months.
“So (journalists) put some words in my mouth saying that the person who was responsible for me not being included in the Spain squad was Rafa.
“After that I did another interview and said that I have to be my first critic. But the media was not interested anymore.
“I have a normal relationship with Rafa. I meet him from time to time like at Pepe Reina’s wedding, or some family parties. Rafa and Pepe also share the same agent. I had signed with him, too, when I was 18, but I’ve never had an agent since then because I was scared of them. I’m the one who manages my career with the help of my lawyer.”
Now 34, Riera, who scored five goals in 56 appearances for the Reds, is playing for FC Koper in Slovenia.
He left Liverpool shortly after Benitez’s exit in the summer of 2010 when Roy Hodgson off-loaded him to Olympiakos.
“Liverpool is the best club I have played at, their history, their fans, but in Galatasaray I felt more important as a player and I won titles there,” he added.
“I remember the day when Roy Hodgson came to Liverpool. He said that he wanted his team to be 90% British, so all the foreigners felt like we’d be having problems in Liverpool and I signed for Olympiakos.
“I have enjoyed playing in France, Spain, Italy Greece and Turkey. But England has the mix of everything and the rhythm of the game is amazing.”
