Source: SKY_Sports
Beware Barca!
Liverpool's Spanish winger Albert Riera told Revista De La Liga he is hoping the Reds avoid La Liga leaders Barcelona in Friday's Champions League draw.[LNB] The former Espanyol and Real Mallorca midfielder was suspended for Liverpool's Round of 16 Champions League tie, but watched from the stands as his team mates thrashed Real Madrid 4-0 at Anfield to seal a 5-0 aggregate victory. [LNB]"A lot of people thought we were dead and that they were the best in the world," recalled Riera. "In their last ten matches they had won eight or nine and had played really well. [LNB]"But Liverpool played a really good match, an intelligent match, and beat them. In these kind of matches there is not a favourite."[LNB]Catalan cautionHowever, despite that emphatic victory, which confirmed Liverpool as major contenders for this year's Champions League, Riera would prefer not to meet Real's rivals Barcelona in the quarter-finals. [LNB]"Barcelona is playing unbelievable football this year," he said. [LNB]"They are playing really well and scoring a lot of goals. I think people expect a lot now of Barcelona - every match they are expected to win 4-0 or 5-0 and play really well. [LNB]"They are one team we wouldn't like to see in the Champions League against us."[LNB]PhysicalAfter a difficult period on loan at Manchester City in 2006 Riera is enjoying his second spell in England, but admits the physical demands in the Premier League are far greater than what they are in Spain. [LNB]"I don't like to say that the Spanish League or English league is better than the other one," he said. "They are the two best leagues in the world but are very different. [LNB]"Spanish players, in general, were not as aggressive as English players. You need to be more ready physically in England. In Spain you need to be ready physically but not at as high a level as in England."[LNB]EspanyolRiera also conceded it would be hard work for his former club, Espanyol, to avoid relegation from La Liga this season. The club are bottom of the table and six points adrift of safety, despite possessing a talented squad. [LNB]"They have a lot of quality players," said Riera. "You ask 'where is the problem?' because you don't know. The only thing you can think is that it is in their mind. They need to change their mind; they have to be confident in themselves. It won't be easy."[LNB]
