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Posts Tagged ‘relationship’

• Liverpool winger fancies a move to Russia
• Riera believes Liverpool do not play good football

Albert Riera has indicated that he wants to leave Liverpool after revealing that his relationship with Rafael Benítez has deteriorated to the point where he thinks the manager has something against him.

In an outspoken attack on Benítez, Riera said the manager “turns a deaf ear” to his players and described Liverpool as a “sinking ship”. He also questioned whether his fellow Spaniard was suited to the Real Madrid job because his style of football is not attractive enough.

Riera has played only twice for Liverpool since the end of January, making one start and one substitute’s appearance in the Europa League, and the midfielder is giving serious consideration to asking for a transfer in an effort to earn a place in Spain’s World Cup squad.

“When the coach doesn’t say anything to you and you are in good shape with no physical problems and training well, you have no choice but to think [the fact you are not playing] is personal,” Riera said. “The team’s playing badly and needs changes. If I’m doing something badly and you’re my boss and you trust in me, then you would tell me what I am doing wrong and what I have to do to play. [The fact that Benítez has not said anything] is what most hurts.

“Right now the only market open is the Russian one. I have offers from two clubs and, given my situation, that has made me reflect a lot … My objective is to go to the World Cup and for that to happen I have to play.”

Riera said he was not alone in having communication problems with Benítez. “He thinks he is in charge and he just turns a deaf ear to everyone else,” he told Radio Marca in Spain. “The dialogue with the players is practically non-existent. There is a lack of tact.”

Asked about Benítez’s credentials for Madrid, where Manuel Pellegrini is not expected to be in charge next season, Riera said: “At Madrid they ask you to win and play lovely football. We are effective, sure, but we don’t play brilliant football.”

LiverpoolPremier LeagueRafael BenítezSid Loweguardian.co.uk

Liverpool typically reserve their greatest intensity for matches with Manchester United but they ought to be every bit as animated in the trip to the other Premier League club in that city. Roberto Mancini’s chances of keeping his job surely depend on taking fourth place at the expense of contenders such as the visitors. Despite the reported turbulence in the relationship between the manager and some players City have been consistent at home, although Carlos Tevez’s absence because of personal matters does impair the team. Kevin McCarra

Venue City of Manchester Stadium

Tickets £39-47 (www.mcfc.co.uk)

Last season Manchester City 2 Liverpool 3

Referee P Walton

This season’s matches 16 Y33, R3, 2.25 cards per game

Odds Manchester City 6-4 Liverpool 2-1 Draw 23-10

Manchester City

Subs from Taylor, Zabaleta, Kompany, Onuoha, Boyata, Bellamy, Sylvinho, Ibrahim, Garrido, Santa Cruz

Doubtful Bellamy (knee), Kompany (groin)

Injured Petrov (knee, 20 Mar), M Johnson (knee, May)

Suspended Vieira (first of three)

Unavailable Tevez (compassionate leave)

Form guide DWLWLW

Disciplinary record Y35 R2

Leading scorer Tevez 13

Liverpool

Subs from Cavalieri, Aquilani, Degen, Ngog, Riera, Babel, Darby, Benayoun, Spearing, Ayala, Pacheco, Kelly, El Zhar

Doubtful Benayoun (back), Carragher (abdomen)

Injured Johnson (knee, 28 Feb), Torres (knee, 28 Feb)

Suspended Kyrgiakos (second of three)

Form guide LWWDWD

Disciplinary record Y37 R5

Leading scorer Torres 12

Match pointers

• If Liverpool win they will have twice as many victories (80) as City from their 159 meetings in all competitions

• City have failed to win in their last nine Premier League meetings with Liverpool

• In their last 14 top flight matches, Liverpool have conceded before half-time on one occasion

• Carlos Tevez has scored 15 goals in his last 15 games for City in all competitions after scoring four in his first 15

• Dirk Kuyt has scored four of Liverpool’s last five league goals, with the other being an own goal by Kevin Davies

Manchester CityLiverpoolPremier Leagueguardian.co.uk