Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina has taken a departing shot at Brendan Rodgers, saying he was “disappointed” that Liverpool agreed to loan him to Napoli without telling him first.
In a letter to Liverpool fans, Reina said he had wanted to stay at Liverpool once a move to Barcelona fell through:
“It’s only natural I’d be disappointed Liverpool agreed to loan me to Napoli without telling me first,” he said.
“I thought I deserved better than that, even though I understand that difficult decisions have to be taken in football.”
Reina had been angling for a move to Barcelona to replace Victor Valdes> ut when Valdes decided to stay at Barca for another year, Reina tried to make nice with Liverpool and talk about a contract extension.
“A lot has been made about me informing the club that if an offer came in from Barcelona that I would have liked them to consider it,” Reina added on his official website.
“But I had also spoken to the club about the possibility of extending my contract if the offer was not made.
“I told the manager that I wanted to play for Liverpool and that Barcelona would only become an option for me if the opportunity arrived, like the rumours said it would, as it would be a chance for me to go back home.
“When it didn’t come, I was happy to fight for my place so I was surprised that Liverpool decided it was in the club’s interests to send me to Napoli instead.”
Could it be Pepe that Brendan Rodgers wants players who are committed to the club? Versus a goalkeeper whose save percentage declines every year and who apparently would prefer to play somewhere else?