Albert Riera hits out at Liverpool manger
Thursday, 18 March 2010 10:16Albert Riera has voiced his frustration at his situation at Liverpool and hit out at manager Rafael Benitez.
The Spain international also revealed he has had offers from two Russian teams as he contemplates his future.
Riera, who joined Liverpool from Espanyol in 2008, has largely been a bit-part player for the Reds this season and has made just two appearances since January, both of which were in the Europa League.
Even Liverpool's indifferent recent form, which has seen them win just four of their last eight competitive matches, has not persuaded Benitez to call on Riera more, and the winger admits he is in the dark as to why that is the case.
He was quoted as saying on 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,' added the 27-year-old, who also likened Liverpool to a 'sinking ship'.
Regarding his future, Riera knows his hopes of gaining a place in Spain's World Cup squad depends 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.'
