Pepe Reina is sad to see manager Rafa Benitez leave Liverpool. Reina spent the past five years with Benitez at Liverpool and feels it is a sad day for the club.

"It's a sad moment for Liverpool, for Rafa Benitez and for the players who have been with him," the Spain goalkeeper said following his country's 1-0 victory over South Korea in a World Cup warm-up game in Innsbruck.

"He was a very important person for the club for six years. Liverpool grew with him and Rafa also grew thanks to Liverpool.

"I hope that this crisis passes. That a person so important for the club as Rafa Benitez has left is news that you never would have expected and that you never would have believed.

"The only thing left for me is to thank him for his confidence during all this time. I wish him the best of luck."