Reina “sad” over Benitez departure

Liverpool’s Spanish goalkeeper Jose Manuel Reina deplored the departure of manager and compatriot Rafael Benitez on Thursday, noting it was a “sad day” for the Premier League club.

“It’s obviously a sad day,” Reina told journalists here after playing in Spain’s warm-up match against South Korea, which ended in a 1-0 victory for the Spaniards.

“It’s never easy or nice when a manager leaves or gets sacked at any club, especially for me.

“I was really close to Rafa.”

Liverpool confirmed on Thursday that 50-year-old Benitez had left Anfield by mutual consent.

His departure had looked inevitable after reports emerged that he had fallen out with the Anfield hierarchy over the lack of funds available to him to rebuild a squad which finished seventh in the Premier League last season and failed to get past the group stage of the Champions League.

“It is surprising, they have been talking about it for a long time now,” Reina said.

But the goalkeeper was adamant that Liverpool should keep looking forward.

“We have to keep growing and keep building a proper squad.”

Benitez had been in charge of Liverpool since 2004 and guided the team to Champions League glory in 2005.

During that time, he also brought several Spanish players to the Merseyside club, including Reina and star striker Fernando Torres.