In my opionion things strted off very well after the signing of our new “winger”. He was provided plenty of width on the left hand side compared to Babel who was always cutting inside and never looked as if he was capable of beating a defender to get to the byline for a cross. Lately however we find Riera constantly inside and nowhere near where he was playing when he first signed. He is now constantly found, normally on his ass, closer to Gerrard than ever.

We all know that trying to constantly break defenses thru their heart is the most difficult unless you possess the close passing skills of some of the past Gunner squads. We do not have this luxury therefore we need width to create more room in midfield. Can we please get back to this ASAP before this 0-0 trend continues. Is this just me or has  anybody else noticed this as well?

Other than the original “I’m glad to be here”, Albert Riera will be introduced to Liverpool fans and media alike tomorrow morning.

Check out the Echo and official site I’m sure for the transcripts.

I’ll also be curious to see what Rafa has to say about international week, he usually is good for a quote or two.

Couple quick things, one being news outside of LFC, the other being news about it.

I’ll start outside of the club very quickly just because I find this to be absolutely brilliant. Credit to the Guardian for this report:

Manchester City’s new owners are ready to spend a staggering £135 million to bring Cristiano Ronaldo across town.

The new owner of Manchester City, Dr Sulaiman Al-Fahim, has intimated that Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment (ADUG) could back a bid for Manchester United winger Ronaldo as early as January.

“Ronaldo has said he wants to play for the biggest club in the world, so we will see in January if he is serious,” Al-Fahim said in The Guardian.

“Real Madrid were estimating his value at $160million (£90m) but for a player like that, to actually get him, will cost a lot more; I would think $240million (£135m). But why not? We are going to be the biggest club in the world, bigger than both Real Madrid and Manchester United.”

Al-Fahim added: “We want a team who can win the UEFA Champions League. We’re not just going to spend money on anyone, but if we can get the biggest players in the world, and of course if the manager wants them, then we will get them.”

Anil Bhoyrul, the Editorial Director of Arabian Business.com and friend of Dr Sulaiman Al-Fahim told TalkSPORT: “I have a list of the players Dr Sulaiman wants to go out and bid for. One is Ronaldo. He says he doesn’t have a problem tabling a £120million bid, just to do it and see what the reaction is. His tactic is to say to Manchester United and Chelsea, ‘hey, we’re in town’.

“He also rates Torres and Fabregas. With Ronaldo, he thinks they are the three best players in the world.”

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It is now finally official, Albert Riera is a Liverpool player. Riera put pen to paper on a four year deal this afternoon at Anfield. The fee is still undisclosed but it is believed that Liverpool have paid about £8m for the services of the Spanish left winger. Rafa is very delighted to have completed the signing of Riera. I am more relieved than delighted. Relieved because we now have a left sided player in midfield. It would have been a disaster if we went through the rest of the season without a natural left sided midfielder. Now Riera will give us some options down the left. I am not too delighted as I do not know much about Riera and have never seen him play so I do not know what he will bring to the party. But in Rafa I believe and if Rafa believes Riera will do well then I will take his word for it.

Riera is most likely to make his debut against Manchester United at Anfield on September 13. There is really no better debut one can get, and how sweet it would be if he comes up with the winner! Riera will be wearing the number 11 shirt, which is fitting for a left winger.

Welcome to Liverpool Albert. We wish you all the best and PLEASE bring some life down the left hand touchline of the team!