Reds to move in on Albert Riera
LIVERPOOL are ready to turn their attentions to Albert Riera as hopes of bringing the Gareth Barry saga to a successful conclusion fade.
The Espanyol winger has been on Rafa Benitez's radar for some time and is under consideration to fill the Reds' troublesome left wing spot along with Middlesbrough's Stewart Downing.
Liverpool scouts watched Riera on several occasions last season and the 26-year-old is thought to have improved a great deal since he spent a year on loan at Man City two seasons ago.
Riera has already made it clear that he would relish a move to Anfield if Liverpool were to make a concrete offer for his services and a bid could now be imminent with the Reds' move for Barry all but dead.
The Liverpool board refuse to meet Aston Villa's £18m asking price for the England man, believing it to be far in excess of what the player is worth.
Benitez is now coming to terms with the fact that, unless Villa decide to reduce the fee for Barry, he is unlikely to be able to land one of his top targets for his ongoing team rebuilding programme and is ready to consider alternatives.
The Reds boss was desperate to land Barry because he can provide cover at left midfield and left back as well as operating in his usual central midfield role.
With Liverpool's early season performances showing that they are in urgent need of a player who can provide genuine width, Riera is now coming under the spotlight.
Benitez's squad has been replenished with the return of Ryan Babel from the Olympics after his Holland side was knocked out of the football tournament by Argentina at the weekend.
And either Javier Mascherano or Lucas Leiva will be the next to return with Argentina meeting Brazil in today's semi-final in Beijing.
Benitez is delighted that he will soon have a full squad to choose from for the first time this season but he insists he doesn't mind whether he gets Mascherano or Lucas back first.
He said: "I am really pleased for the players because they have done really well but I am also really pleased for us because Argentina are playing against Brazil so that means we will get one of them back.
"One of the players will be in the final and one of them will come back to Liverpool so I will be happy for the one who plays in the final and happy for the one who returns to us."
Meanwhile, Steve Finnan has admitted he feels like he has been left "in limbo" after he was frozen out of the first team picture at Anfield.
Finnan has been told he is free to find another club but a lack of firm offers means he is currently on the sidelines with Liverpool.
"Limbo sounds about right, yes," said the 32-year-old right back.
"I haven't got a clue (what the future holds) to be honest. I haven't played many games recently so I honestly can't say.
"There is a big squad there and everyone is fighting for their place and I just have to train well and take the chance if I get it."
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Albert Riera!! Please NOOOOO, I remember him at Man City he was absolutely terrible that season, we should have gone for that Argentine Newcastle signed he looked good against Utd
this guy is class he didnt have a right good season at city 2 years ago but now he has developed into a top class player he reminds me of david silva i think he is exactly what liverpool need on the left flank... RAFA IF YOU ARE READING THIS COMMENT PLEASE GO OUT AND SIGN HIM!!!!