Albert Riera's First Game for Liverpool

Riera started his career with hometown RCD Mallorca, winning a Spanish Cup medal in 2003, as he was already an undisputed starter. During his three years at the club as a professional he made a total of 46 appearances in La Liga, scoring 6 goals from the wing.

In the summer of 2003 Riera moved to FC Girondins de Bordeaux, where he was a first team regular for two seasons. He made more than 50 Ligue 1 appearances for the French club and scored 4 goals.

Riera returned to Spain in 2005, when he signed for RCD Espanyol. In his first season at the club he played only 8 league matches, prompting a January 2006 move to Manchester City, where he was also unable to establish himself in the first team, returning to Catalonia prior to 2006-07.

During that season, which included an almost 100% successful run in the UEFA Cup (Espanyol lost on penalties to Sevilla FC, with Riera scoring in regulation time), Riera displayed a vast array of skills. Over his two spells at the club (the loan move notwithstanding) he made a total of 72 appearances and scored 8 goals.

Riera signed a four-year deal with Liverpool, after much speculation, on September 1, 2008 (transfer deadline day), for a fee reported to be between £5.5 and £8.0 million. He was given the number 11 jersey.[1][2]He made his league debut on September 13, 2008, playing 72 minutes of a 2-1 home win against Manchester United.