Poorly Timed but Riera’s Comments Expose Rafa’s Real Flaws

Albert Riera’s verbal attack on manager Rafa Benitez could not have been more badly timed ahead of a period in which Liverpool will look to win two games that could decide the outcome of their disastrous season.

The Spanish winger has criticised Benitez’s managerial approach and has revealed he will look for a fresh start in the summer months.

‘’He’s never sorted out a situation with a player by talking with him,’’ the 27-year-old told Spanish newspaper Marca. Riera’s comments came on the eve of a huge Europa League last 16 tie against Lille at Anfield, a competition which represents the reds final chance of landing silverware this season.  The reds trail 1-0 from the first-leg last Thursday and must secure victory tonight to progress to the quarter-finals.  If that wasn’t enough, Rafa’s men then travel to Old Trafford on Sunday lunchtime, looking to secure a season double over their fierce rivals whilst given their top-four aspirations a much needed boost.

And for that reason alone the timing of the Spaniard’s comments may well be questioned by red’s fans even if they could arguably be seen as justifiable.  Riera is not the first Liverpool player to come out and verbally question Benitez’s managerial style with Riera’s fellow winger Ryan Babel also having a pop at Benitez at the back end of last year.

Former players who have played under Benitez have also described the Spaniard as an aloof figure who has little or no relationship with his players.  In his autobiography, Liverpool maestro Jamie Carragher spoke of Benitez as having very few conversations with players and was a manager who kept himself-to-himself.

Players such as Robbie Keane and Xabi Alonso who both famously fell-out with the Liverpool manager before their departures were rumoured to have had numerous verbal spats with the manager, both instances resorting to each player departing the club.

Riera’s comments will raise the question as to whether Benitez is hindering players from reaching their full potential.  Ryan Babel, who was purchased in the summer of 2007 for a reported £11.5m was described as a player who had the potential to become ‘One of the best wingers in the world’ for both club and country.  Since then the Dutch international has struggled to hold down a regular place in the Liverpool side and when he has shown glimpses of what he can do, he is often dropped for the next game.

Riera goes on to blame the club’s poor campaign on Benitez and blames the Spaniard’s stubbornness to change things for the club’s steady but noticeable decline:

‘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 done to play again.  This is what hurts me. You can see 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 for two years and I know how he is. He’s never sorted out a situation with a player by talking with him.’’

Whilst Riera may have reason to be unhappy with a lack of first team action, it is worth pointing out that the Spaniard has hardly lit up Anfield when he has played and has been criticised by fans in the past.  The winger had a great run of form in the last few months of last season including the moment he scored a wonderful goal in the 5-0 demolition of Aston Villa.

And if Benitez’s past actions are anything to go by when he is roundly criticised by one of his players, Riera may just have blown any lingering hopes he had of participating in Spain’s World Cup squad.