RAFA: RIERA DEAL CLOSE

Rafael Benitez has today revealed that Liverpool are on the verge of signing Espanyol winger Albert Riera.

The Reds boss admitted the Spain international was close to sealing a dream move to Anfield after his club issued a statement on their website claiming he was on his way to England for a medical. "We are very,very close," Rafa told journalists at this afternoon's press conference. "The player is coming here. Everybody knows because Espanyol have put on their website that he is coming for a medical. We are very,very close but he has not signed yet. "He has experience in the Premier League and that is really important. If everything is okay we can talk about his qualities, but for now we will just say he is the option we are looking for."