RIERA: LIVERPOOL CAREER REVIEWED

January 23, 2022

Spanish winger Albert Riera signed for Premier League heavyweights Liverpool on the final day of the summer’s transfer window in 2008. Liverpool paid £8m to secure the signing of Albert Riera from Spanish club Espanyol on September 1, 2008. He was given the number 11 shirt upon his transfer to Liverpool.

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Albert Riera made his Liverpool debut during the Premier League clash with Manchester United on September 13, 2008. He played 71 minutes of the game which ended in a 2-1 win for his team. The winger didn’t have to wait too much for his first goal in a Liverpool shirt as he scored one of the goals to lead his team to a 3-2 win over Wigan Athletic in the league on October 18, 2008. Riera also scored for Liverpool during the 3-1 win over Dutch team PSV Eindhoven in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.

Riera was responsible for the first Liverpool goal of 2009 and he also found the back of the net during the FA Cup third round clash with Preston North End on January 3. His next Liverpool goal was in the Premier League rout of Aston Villa. Albert Riera scored one of the goals as Liverpool thrash Villa 5-0 at home on March 22, 2009. He scored with a half-volley after the long goal kick from Reds goalkeeper Pepe Reina.

Riera was suspended from the Liverpool squad on March 18, 2010 for his comments in the Spanish press on his lack of first-team opportunities and the approach of Reds boss Rafael Benitez. The winger was transfer-listed at Liverpool on the back of his comments in the Spanish press with the Russian duo of CSKA Moscow and Spartak Moscow said to be interested in the player.

On July 23, 2010, Albert Riera joined Greek club Olympiacos from Liverpool in a €6m deal.