Why Riera's World Cup dream is just that, and Avram Grant might have the last laugh

By Brian Reade

Published 23:01 19/03/10

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Albert Riera has told Spanish radio that Rafa Benitez's refusal to play him for Liverpool is jeopardising his World Cup place.

Despite the fact that even if he made it on to the plane, there would need to be a mass outbreak of swine flu for him to get a place in the Spanish side.

According to Riera, Rafa Benitez is "deaf" to his needs. Which may be so. But he's not blind to his faults. And Riera's have been glaring on the few occasions he's been match-fit this season.

His lack of presence, pace, desire, bottle and ability to get past a defender encapsulating the stereotype of the foreign mercenary who simply goes through the motions to pick up his wages. Which is what really threatens his World Cup chances.

It probably is a Benitez fault that he doesn't talk enough to his players, although it didn't seem to concern Riera when he said last month: "If the club offered a seven-year contract right now, I'd sign it with my eyes closed. I have everything I need in Liverpool."

But then, as Riera keeps proving, talk is cheap. Let's hope some Russians believe £8million for his signature is even cheaper.

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After Portsmouth's nine-point deduction has been confirmed the world takes pity on Avram Grant, stuck in the Pompey dug-out knowing his latest foray into management is doomed to failure.

I look at this week's events though and see Avram in a different place.

Lying on a massage table, realising that he is still the most successful European manager Roman Abramovich has appointed.

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Real Madrid's Champions League nightmare just gets worse.

Last week they were knocked out at the last-16 stage for the sixth year on the trot.

This week Barcelona trounced Stuttgart in style, and Wesley Schneider, who they let go for a relative song to pay for the new wave of superstars, did a one-man demolition act on Chelsea.

Yet more proof that Florentine Perez is a footballing genius and The Galactico system is based on sound principles and solid intelligence.

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