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Riera launches Benitez attack

Author: Rose Young
Date: 19/03/2010
Football betting

Spanish winger Albert Riera has hit out at Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez over a perceived lack of first-team opportunities at Anfield.

The 27-year-old has featured just twice since the end of January, having been troubled by injuries earlier on in the campaign.

Riera told Radio Marca: "When the coach says nothing to you and you are well, with no physical problems and training well, you cannot help but think it must be something personal.

"I've been here two years and I know how he (Benitez) is. He's never sorted out a situation with a player by talking with him."

Meanwhile, Reds goalkeeper Jose Reina has confirmed that he is on the verge of penning a new contract with the Anfield club.

The 27-year-old Spaniard is settled on Merseyside and is happy to commit his long-term future to the club. Reina has made 246 starts for the Reds since moving to Anfield from Villarreal in the summer of 2005.

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Manager Gary Johnson has left Bristol City by mutual consent after a poor run of results in recent weeks which has plunged the Robins into the bottom half of the Championship table.

Johnson took charge at Ashton Gate in September 2005 and led City to promotion from League One in 2006-07, before the Robins reached the Championship play-off final in May 2008, losing 1-0 to Hull City.

Last term Johnson's side failed to reach the play-offs and their fortunes have dipped further this season.

John Lloyd has resigned as Great Britain's Davis Cup captain following the recent dismal defeat in Lithuania.

GB are now close to dropping into the lowest tier of the competition, having lost their last five ties to Argentina, Austria, Ukraine, Poland and finally Lithuania.

Lloyd said after leaving his post: "I am very proud of my time as Davis Cup captain and grateful to all the players for their support.

"I've been a Davis Cup player, captain and now it is time to become a fan."

Andy Murray moved through to the quarter-finals of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells after Spain's Nicolas Almagro retired from their fourth-round clash due to injury.

Murray was on control at 6-2, 1-0 up when Almagro gave up due to an ankle injury which required treatment at the end of the first set.

Next up for the British number one is Sweden's Robin Soderling, who impressed in seeing off Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4.

The major casualty of the day was second seed Novak Djokovic, with the Serb well beaten 7-5, 6-3 by Croatia's Ivan Ljubicic.

Two-time champion Jose Maria Olazabal will miss this year's Masters at Augusta after failing to overcome ongoing injury problems.

The 44-year-old Spaniard, who won the Green Jacket in both 1994 and 1999, has not featured in a tournament since October, as he continues to be blighted by rheumatism.

Olazabal's manager Sergio Gomez confirmed: "He has pain in his shoulder, forearms and hands. He can't swing properly, so we won't be going."

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