Liverpool's players responded to manager Rafael Benitez's pre-match challenge to earn themselves a place in his plans for Saturday's Merseyside derby with a comfortable 2-1 victory over Crewe in the third round of the Carling Cup.

Jermaine Pennant was a constant menace on the right flank while Lucas and Daniel Agger produced assured performances to give the Spaniard a selection poser for the game against Everton.

Agger gave Liverpool a 15th-minute lead from a free-kick before Michael O'Connor's equaliser 10 minutes later.

Pennant supplied Liverpool's second goal with a dangerous cross which was headed home by Lucas in the 58th minute but really the margin of the victory should have been greater.

While strengthening the Reds first team for a Barclays Premier League title challenge has been Benitez's priority he is attempting to build a squad to challenge on several fronts.

• Rafa satisfied with result

The manager included only one English player - Pennant - in his starting line-up as he handed debuts to Brazilian goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri and Swiss defender Philipp Degen.

Sami Hyypia, named as captain, and Agger were recalled in central defence while there were places for Lucas, Emiliano Insua and Damien Plessis while Nabil El Zhar, Ryan Babel and David Ngog carried the attacking threat.

Crewe first-team coach Steve Holland included former Liverpool youth team defender Danny O'Donnell alongside captain Julien Baudet at the back.

Degen and Pennant linked up well down the right flank in the eighth minute to create Liverpool's first chance.

Breaking from a Crewe free-kick, Pennant slipped a clever ball to Degen on the overlap and he whipped a low cross into the penalty area but neither Ngog nor Babel were able to get a touch.

Pennant continued to provide the home side's best outlet and Crewe defender Billy Jones was lucky to escape a booking after a late challenge on the winger in the 12th minute.

Liverpool's pressure eventually paid off three minutes later after Ngog was fouled on the edge of the penalty area by O'Connor.

Denmark defender Agger took the resulting free-kick and smashed a powerful low effort past goalkeeper Steve Collis.

Crewe equalised in the 25th minute after Byron Moore's shot was deflected by Agger for a corner.

Jones crossed and Calvin Zola's header was parried by Cavalieri but O'Connor made amends for his earlier foul when he slammed home from close range.

The Railwaymen began to settle but it was Liverpool who created the next opportunity in the 41st minute.

Hyypia was picked out on the penalty spot by a Pennant corner but Collis blocked his shot and Plessis could only fire the loose ball into the crowd.

Babel went close moments after the interval when his shot from the left edge of the penalty area was deflected and wrong-footed Collis but looped on to the roof of the net.

Liverpool restored their lead in the 58th minute after good work down the right flank by the impressive Pennant.

The lively winger delivered a dangerous cross into the penalty area and Brazil midfielder Lucas timed his run superbly to direct a header past Collis.

Benitez surprisingly introduced Fernando Torres and the Spain international was immediately involved.

Pennant delivered another ball into the penalty area in the 82nd minute and Torres' header was tipped past the post by Collis.

The Crewe goalkeeper saved again from the Spaniard two minutes later after Torres had broke clear of the Crewe defence.

Liverpool were given a few late scares as Crewe pressed for an equaliser but held on to secure their place in the next round.

Rafa satisfied with result

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was satisfied with his side's performance after they secured their place in the fourth round of the Carling Cup with a 2-1 win over Crewe.

''It was one of those types of games where if you do not score the third goal and finish the game then it can be difficult,'' he said.

''We were a little bit nervous today and we certainly had enough chances to score a third goal.

''Tonight we can talk about two good goals - Daniel Agger's free-kick was a fantastic strike and also Lucas is a player that likes to get into the box and I am confident he can score more goals like this.

''It was a very positive result and a positive reaction from the players and perhaps the only thing is that we could not score the third goal.''

Benitez explained the decision to introduce Fernando Torres in the second half despite the Merseyside derby at the weekend.

The Spain international had an immediate impact and was twice denied by Crewe goalkeeper Steve Collis.

Benitez added: ''We brought Torres on to try and score the third goal - every competition is important so we were trying to create more chances.

''So going forward Torres would give us more space and you could see he had two chances to score which if they would have gone in would have sealed the game.

''I was thinking the same with Robbie Keane but we had a problem with Philipp Degen so I was not able to put him on earlier to put him in a position to score.''

Crewe first team coach Steve Holland was proud of the way his side acquitted themselves and said a trip to Anfield last week helped settled any pre-match nerves.

''I brought the players to Anfield to do the stadium tour last week so they were not overawed by the whole experience of playing here,'' he said.

''Admittedly there was a mass brawl to get Fernando Torres' shirt afterwards but overall I think they didn't show any signs of nerves on the night.

''We acquitted ourselves well - we stuck to our game plan and could have even have nicked an equaliser at the end with a couple of late chances.''

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11:27 AM
Categories: Carling Cup Result, Crewe, Daniel agger, lucas leiva. Author: nik

Dirk Kuyt admitted the Liverpool players were hugely frustrated after they were robbed of what seemed like a legitimate goal in Saturday's goalless draw at home to Stoke City.

The Dutch forward felt Steven Gerrard's third minute free-kick was harshly ruled out for offside but was honest enough to suggest the Reds should have made more of the chances they created during a hugely one-sided 90 minutes.

"We thought we'd scored a goal through Stevie but the referee has said he disallowed it for offside," Kuyt told Liverpoolfc.tv. "That's frustrating but we still had time to overcome that disappointment and score another goal.

"We had a lot of possession and created a lot of chances but at the end of the day you have to score goals to win matches."

The stalemate with the Barclays Premier League newcomers means Liverpool's hopes of maintaining a prolonged 'perfect' record at Anfield are already over after just three matches.

It is particularly frustrating for the Reds coming on the back of last weekend's magnificent triumph against Manchester United and Kuyt felt they were unlucky not to take more than a point from a clash they dominated from start to finish.

"You always want to win your home games, especially against opposition like Stoke," he said.

"It was like a game of attack against defence where they had 10 men behind the ball all the time. But it's our job to break them down and although we made a number of openings we weren't able to convert them.

"Sometimes football is like this. You deserve to win but at the end you are unlucky. After beating Manchester United last week it was a good chance to build up some momentum and it's disappointing that we didn't manage to do it.

"But we must look ahead now, go to Everton next week and put this result behind us with a win. We got a good win there last season and I have good memories from that game too, so hopefully it can be the same again."

Kuyt also had words of support for strike duo Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane who have yet to hit top form so far this season.

"The goals will come for Fernando and Robbie," he said. "We have no worries. They will score goals."

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11:59 AM
Categories: Dirk Kuyt, EPL result, Liverpool, Stoke City. Author: nik

Steven Gerrard played a captain's role by taking his Liverpool goals tally to 99 as the Merseysiders opened their Champions League group campaign with a crucial 2-1 win in Marseille.

The Stade Velodrome had been the venue for Liverpool's European salvation last season, and Gerrard made sure it was a welcome return to the south of France.

Marseille had taken the lead through their skipper Lorik Cana, but Gerrard - already Liverpool's record scorer in Europe - grabbed a fine equaliser with an outstanding 25-yard curler.

Then six minutes later he cracked home a twice-taken penalty to give Liverpool something to hang on to.

And they needed to fight hard as the French side battled bravely in the second period, but Liverpool clinched their victory with a defiant rearguard action.

The Reds included both Gerrard and Fernando Torres in their starting line-up for the opening group D clash.

Both key players have been recovering from injury and their inclusion was a major boost for the Anfield club.

Andreas Dossena came into the side in place of calf-injury victim Fabio Arbeloa, while Lucas took over in midfield from Xabi Alonso.

Marseille, who won 1-0 in the Champions League last term at Anfield before losing the return 4-0, included Hatem Ben Arfa, their £10m signing from Lyon, who had recovered from an ankle problem.

Skipper Cana also returned, having been rested at the weekend in the draw at Bordeaux.

Liverpool had opted for caution with Robbie Keane and Albert Riera both on the bench. Gerrard was being used in the attacking midfield role that worked to such good effect last season, and several times early on Liverpool could have scored.

After just seven minutes, Steve Mandanda tipped over a Lucas header and soon afterwards Dirk Kuyt's pass set-up Ryan Babel.

The Dutchman created the space with his first touch but blasted a good opening high over. Then Gerrard forced Mandanda into a diving save before Torres saw a header clear the far angle.

Marseille had chances of their own. Mamadou Niang was clear on the left but wasted the opportunity, shooting high over. Martin Skrtel was booked for a late tackle on Niang after 20 minutes as the game became surprisingly open.

But after 23 minutes the French side were ahead when they caught Liverpool square and punished them with a fine goal.

Rarely are Liverpool exposed straight through the middle, but when Benoit Cheyrou's first-time ball sent Cana clear, his quality side-footed finish sent the Velodrome fans wild.

Liverpool's response was emphatic.

Two minutes later Torres won possession on the halfway line and presented Kuyt with a pass on the right that was instantly played into Gerrard's path.

The Liverpool skipper struck a first-time, curling effort from 25-yards that soared over Mandanda into the far corner for the equaliser.

And after 31 minutes Liverpool were ahead. Babel's sharp turn in the box ended with Ronald Zubar's trip and a penalty. Zubar was booked before Gerrard struck the ball past Mandanda off the post.

But Austrian referee Konrad Plautz ordered a re-take because Kuyt had encroached into the box. Gerrard kept his nerve and clinically netted a second time to put Liverpool ahead.

The double strike extended Gerrard's European goals record for the club. Last season, in the Anfield side's 4-0 win in Marseille, Gerrard's goal that night broke Michael Owen's benchmark of 23.

He extended that tally later in the competition to 25, and two more here in the opening half for the captain stretched his tally to 27, and 99 for the club in all competitions.

Marseille were stunned and soon sent on Mathieu Valbuena for the injured Modeste M'Bami after 41 minutes.

Ben Arfa lasted until the 56th minute before his ankle problem forced him off, Karim Ziani taking over.

The game was still very open. Babel almost forced the ball around Mandanda at one end, while Liverpool were making too many defensive errors at the other for Benitez to rest easy.

Marseille could easily have been level when Vitorino Hilton met a corner with a fierce downward header that Jose Reina managed to hold on to.

Liverpool sent on Riera after 64 minutes for Torres, who had looked short of pace after his spell out, before Ziani struck a 12-yarder over the bar as Marseille searched for parity.

The Reds then withdrew Gerrard after 68 minutes, sending on Yossi Benayoun with Babel now the lone striker.

Liverpool had got the most possible out of their recently-injured stars, and it was now left to their colleagues to withstand a mounting Marseille onslaught.

Ziani fired over again before Mamadou Samassa replaced Bakari Kone.

Babel saw a golden chance to finish the contest go to waste after 74 minutes when Riera and Benayoun set him up close in, only for Mandanda to save the point-blank effort.

The youngster then struck the post after 78 minutes as he surged through on the left. But still Marseille came forward searching for the equaliser as Liverpool sought to punish them on the break.

With five minutes left, Kuyt was replaced by Keane, fresh legs to the cause as Liverpool continued to hang on.

Niang saw a diving header go wide from a right-wing cross, Marseille still fighting for an equaliser.

Reina saved superbly in injury-time from Niang and Liverpool had their victory.

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1:01 PM
Categories: European Champion League group D, liverpool captain, Marseilles, steven gerard. Author: nik

Rafael Benitez today declared Liverpool's momentous victory over Manchester United as something the whole team can be proud of.

The Reds went down to a Carlos Tevez goal early on in the match but rallied to produce their best performance of the season and record a first league win over Alex Ferguson's side in over four years.

Benitez paid tribute to his players after the match and was happy with the amount of character his charges showed to come from behind and take the points.

"I think today is a game we can be really satisfied with because we were losing against a very good team," said Benitez. "But we showed character and played very well in the second half, so this was very positive.

"The team showed a lot of character after conceding an early goal. I was really disappointed when they scored so early because I wanted a high tempo from the start. They were passing the ball and keeping possession, so we needed to change a lot of things. I think it was really important to have chances and to improve a lot in the second half."

There were many stand-out performances during the match, but the Liverpool manager focused on the whole team and said: "Today you could see a lot of players working really hard, especially the strikers Dirk Kuyt and Robbie Keane, who were doing amazing work up front, and also Albert Riera in his first game played well – he is a lucky man.

"Physically he was not ready but we needed to use his ability. And after we used Steven Gerrard, he did well too. I can talk about a lot of players - Ryan Babel was really good too, but I think the overall play of the team was good."

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson admitted that his team couldn't cope with Liverpool's tackling and harassing in midfield.

Benitez agreed, saying: "In the last two years, I can remember that they were happy waiting and just playing on the counter-attack until we make mistakes," added Benitez. "And today was more or less the same situation. When you have players with the quality of Berbatov, Tevez or Rooney in front, sometimes they just need to wait and if we make a mistake they will kill us off.

"We didn't make many mistakes today. We can always improve and do things better, but the team played well.

"One thing that we needed to improve was our results against the top sides so now we have three points and we are in a better position than last season. We now have more wins against the top four so hopefully it will be the same against Chelsea and Arsenal. Everton is also another difficult game for us."

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9:36 AM
Categories: Carlos Tevez, EPL Anfield, MU Liverpool, Ryan Babel Rafa Benitez, Wes Brown. Author: nik

Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard have both been passed fit to face Manchester United at Anfield this weekend. Both players completed a light training session at Melwood this morning and have been included in the squad to take on Alex Ferguson's men tomorrow. "They are both much better," confirmed Benitez. "They came through a full training session this morning. It wasn't a very hard session, but they will both be in the squad. If they are in the squad then they can play. "It's important for us to have these two players of quality who can change a game. I'm not surprised they are available because the medical staff have done a good job and the players have been working really hard with the physios to get fit." Benitez has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the showdown with United, although midfielder Lucas won't be involved after arriving back late from international action during the week.

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10:43 AM
Categories: Fernando Torres, Manchester United, steven gerard. Author: nik

Here are all the pre-match stats and facts ahead of Saturday's showdown with Manchester United at Anfield. Last season here United took all three points with Carlos Tevez scoring the only goal after 43 minutes. They went on to record a league ‘double' winning 3-0 at Old Trafford. Javier Mascherano was controversially sent off ten minutes after Wes Brown had opened the scoring for the home side. Ronaldo and Nani added goals the last 11 minutes. Liverpool are unbeaten in their last ten league games since losing at Old Trafford last March. There has been only one goalless draw between the sides in the Premiership – here in 2005/06. Liverpool have not scored in any of their last seven league games against United since John O'Shea scored an own goal at Old Trafford in September 2004. In fact, no Liverpool player has scored a league goal against United since Danny Murphy from the penalty spot at Old Trafford in April 2004. Harry Kewell in November 2003 was the last to score in open play. Liverpool's last league win here against today's opponents came in November 2001 when they won 3-1 with Michael Owen (two) and John Arne Riise scoring. Liverpool have been waiting since September 2004 to record a 50th league win over United. Should he play, Robbie Keane will play the 450th club game of his career. Liverpool's next goal will be their 400th scored under Rafa Benitez. Peter Beardsley scored the last of the six Liverpool hat-tricks against United in League meetings in September 1990 while Stan Pearson in 1946-47 has scored the last United hat-trick. If today's game finishes all-square it will be Liverpool's 50th draw in all competitions under Rafa Benitez. Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov scored 46 goals between them for Tottenham last season - each scoring 23. They both scored 15 in the Premier League. Last season Liverpool were the highest scorers in all four divisions with 199. Manchester United with 110 had the third best total. Liverpool have won just seven of the 32 Premiership meetings with United taking maximum points in 18. Rafa Benitez is looking to record his first league win over United at the ninth attempt. He did however oversee Liverpool's first F.A.Cup victory over United in 85 years thanks to a Peter Crouch goal on this ground in 2006. Albert Riera made his debut in English football in January 2006 for Manchester City against Manchester United. It was a dream start as City won 3-1 with Robbie Fowler scoring the final goal in the last minute. Liverpool's biggest ever win here was 7-1 in the first meeting between the two sides in October 1895 when United were known as Newton Heath. United's biggest win here was in December 1969 when they recorded a 4-1 victory.

	LFC V MAN UNITED: STAT ATTACK Ged Rea 11 September 2008
Of Liverpool's last 55 league games at Anfield they have lost only twice…both to Manchester United. There has not been a goal scored in the opening 69 minutes of any of Liverpool's five games this season with the Reds having to wait until the 83rd minute at least to open their account. They have not scored a first half goal in any of their last nine games. The last was a 43rd minute strike from Dirk Kuyt against Chelsea in the Champions League at Anfield back in April. All of Liverpool's goals have this season have been scored while Nabil El Zhar has been on the pitch. If United win today they will equal Everton by recording their 23rd league victory at Anfield. No club has won more. Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs are United's most prolific scorers in the Premier League. Both have scored 96 though Scholes has played 101 fewer games. If Liverpool fail to score today United will become the first visiting team ever to keep five successive league clean sheets at Anfield. United have lost only one of the last dozen league meetings home and away and at Anfield are unbeaten in the last six visits winning five. United have failed to score in only two of the last 12 league visits to Anfield. Dimitar Berbatov could make his debut for United today. The last players to play their first United games against Liverpool were Mikael Silvestre and Massimo Taibi on this ground in September 1999. United have lost just once away from home in the Premier League in 2008. That setback came at Chelsea in April when they were beaten 2-1. Darren Fletcher has scored both of Manchester United's league goals this season. Ryan Giggs is looking to score for the 19th successive season. United have scored in each of their last 26 Premier League since failing to find the net at Bolton back in November. United's league title last season was built on their home form as both Chelsea and Arsenal had better away records. They won 17 of their 19 games at Old Trafford with ten victories coming on the road. Given their home form in the league it is a surprise that they were eliminated from both the F.A.Cup (Portsmouth) and League Cup (Coventry City) at Old Trafford.

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10:44 AM
Categories: Anfield, EPL, Liverpool, Manchester United. Author: nik

Liverpool will give Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard every chance to prove their fitness for Saturday's clash with Manchester United. Hopeful manager Rafael Benitez, still awaiting his first league win over the Reds' arch-rivals, says both of his leading lights are 'improving' as they battle back from their respective injuries.

Gerrard is the bigger doubt for the lunchtime clash after groin surgery but the Anfield club's medical staff are reportedly encouraged by Torres' progress in recovering from a hamstring injury.

Last weekend Gerrard said the United match would come too soon for him, and he was targeting the Champions League match against Marseille next Tuesday.

"It is always more difficult to prepare for the match with injuries because you know that if they are fit we will use them, but in this case you never know," Benitez said.

"It is better to avoid saying whether they can be available - it is difficult to say if they can play or not because they may have not played for 10 or 15 days.

"But they are both working hard with the physios and are improving, so there's still some time to decide."

Benitez remains optimistic about Gerrard, although he has confidence in the rest of the squad should his captain not make it.

"You never know, he is still progressing. The key is the fitness of the player - it makes a massive difference if he has confidence. That is the main thing for him," the Spaniard told the club's website.

"Clearly we have enough quality in the squad, so it is always important to look to the other players and sometimes they can give more to you than the big names.

"They can have the same quality and passion and they also have a lot to prove to the supporters."

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12:43 PM
Categories: Manchester United, Marseilles, Rafa Benitez, Soccernet, steven gerard. Author: nik

Steven Gerrard has admitted there is nothing he would like more in football than to lead Liverpool to the Barclays Premier League title. While lifting the European Cup after the epic Champions League victory over AC Milan is his career highlight to date, the Reds skipper said winning the league would surpass that. "The memories of Istanbul will go to the grave with me," said Gerrard. "There isn't a day goes by that I don't think about it, but I want more memories. I want to get on another open-top bus and see another million people on the streets of Liverpool, acclaiming the league title. "The city will explode if we win the league, and I don't want it to happen when I'm retired. I'm 28 and realise the years are flying by. In November I'll have been a first-teamer for 10 years and yet it seems like I only made my debut two or three months ago, I've enjoyed it that much. I want from 28 to 35 to be even better, and I feel my best years are ahead of me. "I don't want to retire and have just Istanbul and a couple of FA Cups to remember. It will be a disaster, personally, if I don't win the league here." The Reds number eight believes there is a lot more to come from him and the team this season after admitting early performances have been below par. "The performances so far haven't been that good, we're still only in second or third gear," he said. "A few of the lads haven't been 100 per cent and I've been nowhere near it myself. "We played well in pre-season, but come the real deal we weren't at the level we wanted. The promising thing is that the results have been good."

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11:28 AM
Categories: EPL, steven gerard. Author: nik

Liverpool fans have given Jamie Carragher their backing after the Reds star admitted he has always put club before country.

Carragher came in for a storm of criticism yesterday after extracts of his forthcoming autobiography were published in a national newspaper in which he revealed an England defeat "never hurt me in the same way as losing for my club". He even went as far as saying he "would rather miss for England than LFC", when discussing his England penalty miss against Portugal in the 2006 World Cup. Former Liverpool player Stan Collymore, who won a total of three England caps before retiring at the age of 30 having never fulfilled his potential, was among those who criticised Carragher for his stance. But the Bootle-born defender won the backing of Reds fans with Les Lawson of the Liverpool Supporters Club saying: "I agree with Carra. My only thought when international breaks come around is that I hope the players come back uninjured. "I couldn't care less about England, I'm a Liverpool supporter. We are Scouse, not English!" Lawson even went as far as admitting Liverpool fans prefer to show allegiance to Spain because of the large contingent of Spaniards at Anfield. He said: "I have watched Liverpool reserves when England are playing. In fact, if England were playing Spain, you would probably find Liverpool fans supporting Spain." Carragher's attitude has been met with disappointment but not surprise by England supporters. Mark Perryman, of the England Fans' Group, thinks that European Cup-winners like Carragher, who play regular Champions League football, don't reach the pinnacle of their careers on the international stage. He said: "You do not want to hear things like that, but I do understand where someone like Carragher is coming from. "His view is no different to many fans, particularly those who support the big clubs. "If you asked most fans whether they would want their club to win the title or England to win the World Cup, they would back their own clubs. "It is an attitude that has arisen as the Champions League has got bigger and bigger. I know that as an England fan these days, I am in a minority. "The Champions League provides international quality football from September to March to players like Carragher. Success in it is crucial to the big clubs, so I understand his view."

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1:22 PM
Categories: England, Jamie Carragher, LFC. Author: nik

Rafa Benitez is backing his side to shift through the gears during what is set to be a crucial month in the club's season.

The Anfield boss knows the Reds have not totally convinced in their opening five matches despite an unbeaten run which has taken them to joint top of the league.

But with massive games against Manchester United and Everton looming in the next month, not to mention the start of our Champions League campaign, Benitez expects his side to start reaching full potential.

"Javier Mascherano, Lucas and Ryan Babel arrived late and I am sure that in a few weeks' time it will be better," the gaffer told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"We need to have better possession and work on having a higher tempo."

Liverpool's last outing brought a credible point at Villa Park without Steven Gerrard and, for the most part, Fernando Torres.

Benitez added: "Getting a draw without them showed the quality in the squad – but it could have been better.

"Having watched the videos, I thought we could have won. We had four chances – Alonso, Kuyt, Ngog and Keane. They had two and some set-pieces. So, the point was good but it could have been better.

"We changed the system to play 4-3-3 and give Xabi Alonso freedom, then when he was being pressed we changed to 4-2-3-1. People said, 'Oh, Robbie Keane wasn't playing well on the left.' But we had to think about winning the game, not just one player."

Gerrard is currently recovering from a groin operation due to keep him out 10-15 days.

On the skipper's race to face United on September 13, Benitez said: "Steven is okay. He's started with bicycle work and will start jogging, so I think he will be ready soon."

Meanwhile, the Liverpool boss is backing Daniel Agger to rise to the challenge of extra competition at centre-back.

The Dane has been absent from the starting XI since the first leg of our Champions League qualifier in Liege.

Benitez said: "Martin Skrtel is a good centre-back, Jamie Carragher is very consistent and Sami Hyypia is a good option also, so Daniel needs to work hard if he wants to play and he knows that.

"We want two players for each position but Daniel has a very good mentality and he will be ready."

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1:48 PM
Categories: Daniel agger, Manchester United, MU, Rafa Benitez, steven gerard. Author: nik

He's a Spain international who has enjoyed an eye-catching spell with Espanyol - but what else do you know about our new left winger?


Liverpoolfc.tv endeavours to bring you up to speed with a list of 10 things you probably didn't know about Albert Riera.

1. Riera is known as Spain's answer to Middlesbrough's Stewart Downing but when among friends he goes by the nickname of 'Flossy'.

2. Albert was born on April 15, 1982 and shares his birthday with actress Emma Watson and former Blue Peter presenter Katy Hill.

3. Riera can boast to have matched new teammate Steven Gerrard's achievement of scoring in a UEFA Cup final. However, unlike Stevie, it would prove to be a bitter-sweet occasion for the winger, as Espanyol eventually succumbed to a penalty shoot-out defeat in the 2007 final against Sevilla. The match had ended 2-2 after extra-time.

4. Albert can already claim to have some Barclays Premier League experience having made 15 appearances for Manchester City after spending some of the 2005-06 season on loan at the club.

5. He made his Blues debut in a memorable 3-1 win at home to local rivals Manchester United on January 14, 2006. A similar result would be most welcome if he makes his Reds bow against the Red Devils on September 13.

6. Riera managed just one goal under City boss at the time Stuart Pearce, when he opened the scoring in a 3-0 win at home to Newcastle on February 1, 2006.

7. Guillem Balague believes the winger will make the most of his second spell in the Premier League after claiming City did not take full advantage of the 26-year-old's strengths. "He was not given the opportunity to play in his natural, attacking, position at City," he wrote on his website. "He spent his time there being used as a wing back: his natural position is a winger in a 4-2-3-1 formation."

8. Albert hails from the island of Mallorca and comes from a town called Manacor, which, incidentally, is the same place where tennis star Rafael Nadal was born.

9. Riera has already sampled the famous Anfield atmosphere after playing 77 minutes of City's 1-0 defeat away to Liverpool in the 2005-06 campaign. Harry Kewell was the Reds' goalscorer that day while Joey Barton was sent off for the visitors.

10. Albert scored his one and only international goal in Spain's 3-1 win away to Denmark in a European Championship qualifier on October 13, 2007. He has five caps for his country to date.

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11:51 AM
Categories: espanyol, Reiera, winger. Author: nik