Liverpool FC Forum

[Ciggy]

Im not to keen about us signing him, its between us and the mongrels.
They have accepted the mongrels offer, but the player wants to come here.
Didnt play for them last night, they have got a replacement lined up.

This signing doesnt impress me one bit the same with Downing.

Hope he joins the bitters instead.

[Toffeehater]

How much did the bluesh!te's offer them , they must be getting pretty desperate as they have not signed anyone yet this summer

[Ciggy]

How much did the bluesh!te's offer them , they must be getting pretty desperate as they have not signed anyone yet this summer

15 million euros 

25/08/2008 09:48

Espanyol Line Up Riera Replacement

Espanyol have targeted Almería’s left winger Albert Crusat as the possible replacement for Albert Riera, who looks likely to depart the Montjuïc by the end of the week.

With Merseyside rivals Liverpool and Everton locking horns to secure Riera’s signature, the Blanc-i-Blau have already braced themselves for the left winger’s exit by lining up his potential replacement.

Espanyol are reportedly ready to accept Everton’s ₤12 million (€15m) bid, an amount which is considerably higher than what Liverpool were preparing to offer, but according to Marca, it is understood that Riera prefers to play under fellow Spaniard Rafa Benitez at Anfield.

Although there is no official agreement as yet, Los Periquitos have already moved quickly to find a replacement down that left flank and UD Almería’s Albert Crusat, a former Espanyol player, appears to be the first choice target.

The 26 year old, who is a fond dribbler of the ball and one who can also double as a forward, would also be a suitable replacement for Luis García, who himself is edging closer to a move to Portugal’s Benfica.

[*_Ruthless_*]

I can't remember him standing out at all when he was on loan at Man City ...

[Ciggy]

Looks like its a done deal

Riera today can not be played because of equipment that directs LiverpoolEl Rafa Benitez equated its proposal to that of Everton and play where I wanted Manacor

Albert Riera will play next season at Liverpool if negotiations do not warp in the next few hours. The 'reds' forced yesterday a new making contact with Espanyol in which increased its offer, comparable to that of Everton. Failing to close the last fringes, figures satisfy the claims of white club, so it can be today Riera new player of all English. Proof of that negotiation was virtually sealed Manacor is that even yesterday jumped the playing field, despite being summoned.

The interest of the Liverpool coach, Rafa Benitez, by incorporating Riera made the Anfield club raised their bid, before entry into the scene of their greatest citizen rival, Everton. The 'Toff' claims reached immediately economic club white, presenting an offer of nine million to which were added by two other incentives, depending on the performance offered by Riera. The only drawback is that the player preferred the bid from Liverpool, more attractive sportingly as the 'reds' dispute the Champions League and opting to compete for all titles that, while their rivals maximum citizens are on average a team table.

This objection was resolved in the afternoon yesterday when Liverpool put on the table eight million fixed two incentives as performance Manacor and one more target, depending on titles that get the team.

Neither the president, Daniel Sanchez Llibre, nor the sports director, Paco Herrera, wanted to confirm the principle of agreement. Herrera simply repeating that he had "a team that pays what we want and not another and the player will attract more supply of equipment that pays less. Not under our pretensions. " The same message sent simultaneously to Sanchez Llibre microphones TV3, confirming that "there will be a replacement within 24 hours."

http://www.sport.es/default.asp?idpublicac...idseccio_PK=804

[Sabre]

I'm happy -not chuffed as I'd be with Silva- with this signing, and in a way, I like that the mates of this forum have not much expectations on him, as there won't be frustrations later.

I think he won't be the winger of the season in the premiership, but if he eventually comes, many people will agree he's a solid enough player.

[Toffeehater]

I hope he's worth the hype , if not it would be another waste of money

[JC_81]

I remember Riera at City.  Looked a very average player to me.  Fair enough he was younger then and was playing in a poor City side, and by most accounts he has improved as a player since then.  Even so, it's not a signing that will excite me if it does happen.

I'm going to be controversial and suggest a player who I think really would improve us - Arteta.  I expect Babel to push on this season and improve, and he'll most likely be on the left.  For me Arteta has developed into one of the best right sided midfielders in the Premiership in terms of end product.  Nothing flash, but every pass and every cross finds a man, and he can chip in with goals.  It is very well known that off the pitch he socialises with the Spanish Liverpool players, and if we made a serious bid for him I think we would get him.

For me someone like Arteta, or even Shaun Wright Phillips, would be much better signings than the likes of Downing or Riera.

It's Rafa's funeral though.  If we spend another season scraping into the top 4 like last season because he signs the wrong players, then he's out.  This is it for Benitez and if we don't challenge for the title I really believe he's out, so for his sake I hope he's done his research on this Riera lad.

[LFC2007]

How exciting! 

[Cool Hand Luke]

I don't know too much about him but I do remember him starting to settle nicely at Man City before his loan finished. He didn’t set the world alight at City, but they were a poor side and it was his first time in the Premiership. He played some good football at City but £12 million sounds like a lot of money.

[metalhead]

It's Rafa's funeral though.  If we spend another season scraping into the top 4 like last season because he signs the wrong players, then he's out.  This is it for Benitez and if we don't challenge for the title I really believe he's out, so for his sake I hope he's done his research on this Riera lad.

Debatable, some of Rafa's top priority could not be signed because  of our inability to fund for them, for example Barry.

[maguskwt]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmVAMIIiSqM

this is a better video of him than the other one that's been posted... He is a tricky and skillful player... but I wonder if he can pull off those tricks in the premiership... even ronaldo who is alot quicker with the feet than him had to cut down on the tricks in order to be more effective...

[redmikey]

not over the moon would sum it up for me!!!!!!!!!

spanish pennant by any chance..... arteta is a great shout by the way

[Sabre]

John Craig's proposal is one I made aswell these years. I didn't like the San Sebastian Evertonian very much as a person once, but he convinced me as a footballer and also out of the pitch later when he came to RS. He was marginated by the coach, but he prefered to shut up in order not to harm the club. That talks volumes about his commitment for the clubs he plays for.

As a footballer, he's very complete, and indeed he can play in the left (and CM and RM). But I think it's impossible to bring him with the money we have. How much would Everton ask? Not less that Villas asks for Barry I'm afraid.

Riera might not be a top class player, but his game has little to do with Pennant's. Give him a chance, in the world of Spanish footballers, Riera means more than an Arbeloa!

[LFC2007]

Give him a chance, in the world of Spanish footballers, Riera means more than an Arbeloa!

A ringing endorsement