Rafa bemoans Riera timing

10:45, Mar 19 2010

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has admitted he is "disappointed" with Albert Riera's critical comments but does not intend to allow them to become a distraction ahead of Sunday's clash against Manchester United. The 27-year-old has attempted to play down his comments made to a Spanish radio station when he criticised Benitez for not speaking to him and described the club as a "sinking ship". However, it came too late to prevent him being suspended by the club until Monday, meaning he sat out Thursday night's Europa League victory over Lille and will also miss the trip to Old Trafford. "The timing was very bad for the team and for the club because we were in a crucial moment," said Benitez "I was really disappointed with this but we will deal with it internally. "The team is doing well and we have to approach the [United] game with confidence." Story continues ADVERTISEMENT Centre-back Daniel Agger said Riera's comments had not done anything to destabilise the dressing room and the players were professional enough to remain focused on doing their job. "We had a game to worry about so we don't worry about comments in the media," said the Dane after Riera's outburst dominated headlines just hours before the 3-0 win over Lille which put them into the quarter-finals of the Europa League. "I think it is important for the whole team to focus on the game, especially one as important as the one against Lille. "We don't need to worry about everything around us - we need to be together."

Top | Back | E-mail to a friend | Printable version

Sport latest headlines Charnley inspires Wigan triumph 20:45, Feb 11 2012 Winger Josh Charnley scored a hat-trick of tries as Wigan bounced back from their shock opening home defeat by Huddersfield with a clinical 20-6 destruction of Stobart Super League champions Leeds. more Spurs fans show Redknapp the love 20:45, Feb 11 2012 Tottenham's fans pleaded with Harry Redknapp to snub England and stay at White Hart Lane as the Spurs boss masterminded a brutal 5-0 hammering of Newcastle. more France/Ireland clash called off 20:45, Feb 11 2012 Ireland's RBS 6 Nations clash with France has been postponed due to the weather conditions in Paris. more Adebayor inspires Spurs romp 19:45, Feb 11 2012 Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp ended an emotional week on a huge high as his team ruthlessly hammered Newcastle 5-0 at White Hart Lane. more England claim narrow Italy victory 18:45, Feb 11 2012 England dug themselves out of a snow-hole in freezing Rome to beat Italy 19-15 with another charge-down try from Charlie Hodgson and Owen Farrell's perfect kicking display. more Chelsea suffer defeat at Everton 17:45, Feb 11 2012 Steven Pienaar and Denis Stracqualursi struck as Everton piled on the pressure for Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas with a 2-0 victory. more Late Henry winner rescues Arsenal 17:45, Feb 11 2012 Substitute Thierry Henry marked the final league game of his loan spell at Arsenal with a last-gasp winner to see off Sunderland 2-1. more McArthur clinches Wigan victory 17:45, Feb 11 2012 James McArthur boosted Wigan's survival hopes with a dramatic goal which handed the Latics a 2-1 win over fellow Barclays Premier League strugglers Bolton at the Reebok Stadium. more Williams inspires Quins win 17:45, Feb 11 2012 Harlequins returned to winning ways as winger Tom Williams helped orchestrate a 30-23 victory over London Irish which extended their lead at the top of the Aviva Premiership. more Fleming and Hutchins put GB ahead 16:45, Feb 11 2012 Great Britain moved to within one rubber of a fifth consecutive Davis Cup win under captain Leon Smith after Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins beat Michal Mertinak and Filip Polasek of Slovakia at Glasgow's Braehead Arena. more Cold snap affects sporting weekend 15:45, Feb 11 2012 The cold snap continued to wreak further havoc with the sporting calendar on Saturday after the npower Championship clash between Peterborough and West Ham was postponed due to a frozen pitch along with a number of League One and League Two matches. more Rangers ease to win at Dunfermline 15:45, Feb 11 2012 Lee McCulloch grabbed his first goal of the season as Rangers fought back from behind to claim a 4-1 win and deny Dunfermline their first home victory of the season in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League. more

 

Copyright and Trade Mark Notice

© 2012 owned by or licensed to ncjMedia Limited. icNewcastle™ is a trade mark of ncjMedia Limited. Please read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Statement before using this site.

 

Jobs Newcastle, Homes in Northeast, Used Cars Northeast, Newcastle Free Classified ads Mortgages, Jobs in Newcastle Local Mole - Local Directory