Albert Riera has lifted the lid on Roy Hodgson’s short-lived Liverpool reign, claiming the England manager wanted a squad that was ’90 per cent’ British.
Hodgson succeeded Rafael Benitez in the Anfield hot seat in 2010 but lasted little over six months after a dismal run of results that had, at one point, left the Reds precariously close to the Premier League’s relegation zone.
Riera was sold to Olympiakos that summer, just weeks after Hodgson became Liverpool manager, and the winger insists that the 68-year-old made no secret of his penchant for assembling a predominantly home-grown squad.
“Liverpool is the best club I have played at, their history, their fans, but in Galatasaray I felt more important as a player and I won titles there,” he told Anfield HQ.
“I remember the day when Roy Hodgson came to Liverpool.
“He said that he wanted his team to be 90 per cent British, so all the foreigners felt like we’d be having problems in Liverpool and I signed for Olympiakos.
“I have enjoyed playing in France, Spain, Italy Greece and Turkey. But England has the mix of everything and the rhythm of the game is amazing.”
Hodgson, whose England side will take on Wales tomorrow in their Euro 2016 group encounter, made seven signings during his ill-fated spell at Anfield, three of them – Joe Cole, Paul Konchesky and Danny Wilson – hailing from the UK.