Spanish international Pepe Reina says he is not happy with the way Liverpool have farmed him out to Napoli.
The Liverpool shot stopper claims on his website that he was never told by the Liverpool bosses that he would be leaving for Italy until the deal was already done.
Reina had been linked with a move to the Nou Camp as a replacement for Barcelona’s Victor Valdes, which played a part in Liverpool manager signing Sunderland’s Belgium international Simon Mignolet who was appointed as the Liverpool number one, However, Reina says he told the club that he would be interesting in extending his contract at Anfield if an offer from Barcelona wasn’t forthcoming.
“If I have one regret, it is the way that I am leaving,” said the 30-year-old. “It is only natural that I would be disappointed that the Liverpool management agreed to loan me to Napoli without telling me first.
“I thought that I deserved better than that even though I understand that difficult decisions have to be taken in football.
“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. 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.
“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.”
Pepe Reina
“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.”
Reina loves Liverpool and said that it would feel strange not turning out at Anfield.
“My children consider Liverpool to be their home and hopefully their love for the city and also for the club will only grow while we are away,” he said.
“I would have liked to have been able to say goodbye in a different way but because of the way the move came about this was not possible.
“Maybe in the near future I can do it properly so that I can show my appreciation to you but all I would ask now is that you keep on inspiring the manager and the players just like you always have done and help Liverpool to become the club that you deserve once again.
“I would like nothing better than to come back at the end of my year away and for Liverpool to be back where they belong.”
