High expectations won’t stop fearless Albert Riera's goal
Sep 5 2008
by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
IF the Premier League remains the Holy Grail at Anfield, then the left wing of midfield has become something of a poisoned chalice in recent times.
A procession of players have tried but failed to solve what has proven a problem position for Liverpool under Rafael Benitez.
Anyone who has witnessed the Anfield outfit labour through the opening weeks of the season will have been acutely aware of the chronic lack of width hampering the team.
Step forward Albert Riera. After a summer-long pursuit, the Spain international was brought in from Espanyol earlier this week.
And the confident 26-year-old insists he is unfazed by the yearning for an good old-fashioned winger.
“I understand the expectations,” says Riera. “I like the responsibility and have never been scared when on the pitch. I will continue the way I have throughout my whole career.”
Unusually for a Spanish player signing in at Anfield, Riera has previous experience of life in the Premier League.
He spent six months on loan from Espanyol at Manchester City in the second half of the 2005-06 season, having started his career at Mallorca – the place of his birth – before two years with French side Bordeaux.
“I wasn’t surprised by how physical it was in England,” says Riera. “It is more than Spain, but I knew that beforehand.
“When I was at Manchester City, I found out what the Premier League was like and I’m now prepared for it. I’m prepared to do the tackling and not just be the one being tackled!”
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