Riera makes Reds trophy pledge

Liverpool FC exited the FA Cup last week but winger Albert Riera remains confident that the Reds can still live up to their fans' huge expectations by pursuing glory in the English top flight and the UEFA Champions League.

Double vision
Following last Wednesday's extra-time defeat by Everton FC in the FA Cup fourth round, Liverpool's focus will be directed completely towards their twin assault on the English and European titles. The promise from Riera is that the players will fight all the way to deliver trophies for manager Rafael Benítez and the Anfield club.

'High hopes'
He told uefa.com: "I know the championship, the Premier League, is very important because Liverpool have not won it for a long time [since 1990] – the fans have high hopes this year. But Liverpool as a club also like the Champions League, every season they want to reach the final. It is a competition the players love, so we will try to go all the way and get to Rome, although it will be really tough. We have to fight but we have a good team, a good mentality, good players who can do the job, and we are confident. We'll have to wait and see what happens, but I can promise that we will fight for every available trophy."

Praise for Benítez
Riera's belief in the Merseysiders' cause this season also mirrors his faith in the methods of boss Benítez – a coach he was happy to link up with when the 26-year-old joined Liverpool from RCD Espanyol last summer. "Everyone in Spain speaks really highly about him," said Riera, who had faced Benítez's 2001/02 Liga-winning Valencia CF team as an RCD Mallorca player. "He is a hard worker, he never stops. He is always looking to progress, for ways to improve, and that's a good thing. Sometimes you think that he's on your back a bit, but at the end of the day – and this is what matters – you do what he's asking for. The main thing is that the player will give 100 per cent on the pitch, which is really what all players want to do."

Key man
The left-sided Spanish international has certainly contributed to Liverpool's efforts this term, starting 17 and appearing in another three of their 24 league matches while also enjoying six outings in the UEFA Champions League. The fact he is considered a component of the Reds' best XI is testament to the impact that Riera, a UEFA Cup finalist with Espanyol in 2007, has had. "I try to enjoy it and to help the team to the best of my abilities," he said. "I'm also trying to improve and become a better player."

'It suits me here'
If his loan spell at Manchester City FC back in 2005/06 provided an appetiser, the Majorca-born winger is now feasting at English football's top table. "I don't think you can say that the English league is better than the Spanish, or vice versa, but I really enjoyed the Premier League when I came to Manchester City three years ago – the high tempo, the rhythm – and I think it suits me to play here." With Liverpool only two points off the lead in the title race and due to face Real Madrid CF in the UEFA Champions League first knockout round later this month, you could say the arrangement is proving mutually beneficial.

To watch this interview in the uefa.com Magazine, click here.