Source: SKY_Sports
Riera revelling in pressure
Liverpool winger Albert Riera believes fighting for two major trophies is "beautiful pressure" to deal with.
The Reds are battling for the Premier League and UEFA Champions League as the season draws to an exciting climax.
Liverpool face Chelsea in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday aiming to move a step closer to this year's final in Rome.
Riera, who joined Liverpool in the summer from Espanyol, is relishing the battle on both fronts as he looks to pick up some silverware in his debut season.
"When I arrived here this is what I wanted to experience, to be at a really big club. I wanted to fight for the title and in Europe and that is happening for me," said Riera.
"We are fighting for two trophies, it is what every footballer wants and that is beautiful pressure.
"It is very different to the sort of pressure you face if you are trying to avoid relegation.
"I am pleased with my own form, it could be better, but this is the best moment of the season for all of us.
"Me too, I am playing for Spain and they are doing well, so I want the same here with Liverpool."
Riera says Liverpool will go into the meeting with Chelsea in confident mood, but admits it is vital they keep a clean sheet in the home leg of the tie to boost their chances of progression.
"This will be a new experience in the Champions League for me, but for many of my team-mates it is something they have grown used to," added Riera.
"But if you want to win big tournaments you must beat the best, and Chelsea are in very good form and are one of the best in Europe.
"But we have come into some very good form. We have beaten them twice in the league this season but the Champions League is different because it is over two matches, so we cannot think too much about our league victories over them.
"It is very important that we do not concede any goals in the home leg because the second game will be the one that decides this tie."
The Spanish international is keen to write himself into the history books at Anfield by helping Liverpool to European and domestic success.
Riera said: "Ever since I arrived here I have been very aware of the European history of this club, and I know that to reach the final in Rome is very important to this club because Liverpool have won the European Cup there twice before.
"That is part of the club's history and I also want to be part of that history. And also that we win the Premier League too, that would be a very special piece of history to be involved with.
"But there is still a lot of games to play, step by step, in both competitions. We do intend to surprise everyone."
