Pepe Reina
Reina says a deal with Napoli was agreed without his prior knowledge.

Pepe Reina has attacked Liverpool for agreeing a loan move to Napoli behind his back.

The Spanish goalkeeper has joined Rafa Benitez's side on a season-long loan deal following the summer signing of Simon Mignolet from Sunderland.

Reina's fallibility was called into question sporadically last season with a series of errors which contributed to the club's failure to bridge the gap to the Premier League top four and eventually finish behind Merseyside rivals Everton.

Following the signing of Mignolet, the 30 year old informed the Reds of his desire to return to Barcelona, who themselves were rumoured to be seeking a new goalkeeper with No.1 Victor Valdes considering his future.

However, the Catalan stopper decided against leaving the Nou Camp, with Liverpool subsequently taking Reina's declaration that he wanted to leave as a sign he was no longer committed to the cause.

And after eight years at Anfield, Reina admits his career in the Premier League ends with a sour taste after being shown the exit door having not been offered a new contract, which expires in 2016.

"It would give me so much pleasure to see Liverpool back where they belong, challenging for trophies and getting back into the top four," Reina, who joined the club in 2005, wrote on his official website.

"That was where the club was when I first arrived and although I am leaving a different club, one with new owners, a new manager, new players and new challenges, I honestly believe that Liverpool can reach those levels again.

"I am disappointed that I will not be part of that and although it was not my decision to leave I will accept it just like I have always accepted any decision that Liverpool have taken for me.

"They signed me, picked me, gave me some of the best experiences of my life and looked after me. If they feel that the best thing for me and for them is for me to go on loan to Napoli for a season then so be it.

"Napoli is a new challenge for me and I know that the fans are just as passionate about their team as the Liverpool fans, so I am really looking forward to playing for them this season and I will give my all.

"But if I have one regret, it is the way that I am leaving. 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 even though I understand that difficult decisions have to be taken in football.

"A lot has been made about me informing the club that if an offer came in from Barcelona that I would have liked them to consider it.

"But I had also spoken to the club about the possibility of extending my contract if the offer was not made.

"I told the manager that I wanted to play for Liverpool and that Barcelona would only become an option for me if the opportunity arrived, like the rumours said it would, as it would be a chance for me to go back home.

"When it didn't come I was happy to fight for my place so I was surprised that Liverpool decided it was in the club´s interests to send me to Napoli instead."