Pepe Reina criticises the handling of his Anfield exit

Pepe Reina has criticised Liverpool's handling of his Anfield exit and claimed he "deserved better" after the club agreed a loan deal with Napoli without his knowledge.

Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper since 2005 has joined the Italian club on a season-long loan after a proposed move to Barcelona collapsed.

In an open letter to supporters on his website, Reina accepts Liverpool’s right to decide his future but expresses disappointment at being informed of the move to Naples only after the clubs had arranged the deal.

Brendan Rodgers has said he took the pre-emptive step of signing Simon Mignolet having been informed by Reina's representatives to expect an offer from Barcelona. That did not materialise after Victor Valdes opted to stay and Reina, while confirming his interest in Barcelona, insists he told Rodgers he wanted to sign a new contract at Liverpool in the absence of a return to Spain.

"If I have one regret, it is the way that I am leaving," Reina wrote. "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. He added: "None of this will change my feelings for the club or the people in any way and now I have to look forward to a new challenge with Rafa Benitez."
Guardian Service