Bye Bye Rafa

ALBERT RIERA last night launched an astonishing attack on Rafa Benitez and branded Liverpool a 'sinking ship.'

The winger revealed huge rifts in the Reds' dressing room and claimed boss Benitez did not speak to players when there were problems.

He said: "This year has been difficult and he has not changed at all. When you see the ship is sinking and you don't change...

"I've been here for two years and I know how he is as a person. He's never resolved a situation with a player by speaking with him.

"He thinks he is the boss and turns a deaf ear to everyone else.

"The dialogue with the players is practically zero."

Riera, 27, is fuming with Benitez after starting just once since mid-February and is worried that a lack of games might cost him a World Cup spot with Spain.

The £8million signing from Espanyol added: "When you stop counting as a player like that, it must be something personal.

"It's frustrating because you see you can help and he doesn't let you."

Liverpool's disastrous season is in danger of taking another turn for the worse if they fail to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit against Lille in the Europa League tonight.

With a top-four Premier League spot also in doubt this year, Benitez's future is hanging in the balance.

Real Madrid are rumoured to be interested in hiring the manager.

Yet Riera doubts Benitez could provide the exciting brand of play required at the Bernabeu.

Riera said: "At Madrid, they demand that you play beautiful football so I think it's difficult.

"We have never played beautiful football. Effective yes, but never have we played a brilliant style of football."

Speaking to Radio Marca, Riera left open the possibility of quitting Anfield soon to play in Russia.

He said: "I'd like to stay here for the rest of my career but we players live to play.

"My objective is to go to the World Cup and for that I have to play.

"Right now the only market still open is the Russian. I have offers from two teams and, given my situation, that has made me think a lot."