RIERA: TORRES SHOWED ME THE WAY
Jimmy Rice 25 October 2008
Albert Riera has revealed how Fernando Torres helped teach him the key to succeeding in English football.
The Spain international feared his Premier League dream was over after an unremarkable loan spell at Man City in 2006.
However, Riera admits the example set by El Nino over the last year and a half made him realise how to make it in England.
"What I have learned in recent years is that any footballer can succeed in the Premier League if he has talent and he is also prepared to back that up with hard work, effort and discipline," said the 26-year-old.
"That is the secret to foreigners succeeding here, and this time I came with no illusions.
"When I was younger, I just thought I could walk on to the field and play. You can't. Look at how hard Fernando Torres works at Liverpool. He wouldn't have had to do that in Spain. It's incredible.
"I am a more technical player now and also more mature. My pride won't let me fail this time."
Riera returned to Spain and Espanyol after leaving City with no expectation of arriving back in England one day.
"Nothing is impossible in football but I thought I was suited to football elsewhere," he added. "I found it hard to adapt at City. The training there was the hardest of my life - until I came to Liverpool!
"Nobody trains as hard as the English. It takes everything out of you but maybe that is why the levels of success have increased so much.
"During my time at City I found a type of football that was utterly professional but you had to have so much energy it was untrue. This time I was ready and so far I am doing much better. I am more suited to it now."
Jimmy Rice 25 October 2008
Albert Riera has revealed how Fernando Torres helped teach him the key to succeeding in English football.
The Spain international feared his Premier League dream was over after an unremarkable loan spell at Man City in 2006.
However, Riera admits the example set by El Nino over the last year and a half made him realise how to make it in England.
"What I have learned in recent years is that any footballer can succeed in the Premier League if he has talent and he is also prepared to back that up with hard work, effort and discipline," said the 26-year-old.
"That is the secret to foreigners succeeding here, and this time I came with no illusions.
"When I was younger, I just thought I could walk on to the field and play. You can't. Look at how hard Fernando Torres works at Liverpool. He wouldn't have had to do that in Spain. It's incredible.
"I am a more technical player now and also more mature. My pride won't let me fail this time."
Riera returned to Spain and Espanyol after leaving City with no expectation of arriving back in England one day.
"Nothing is impossible in football but I thought I was suited to football elsewhere," he added. "I found it hard to adapt at City. The training there was the hardest of my life - until I came to Liverpool!
"Nobody trains as hard as the English. It takes everything out of you but maybe that is why the levels of success have increased so much.
"During my time at City I found a type of football that was utterly professional but you had to have so much energy it was untrue. This time I was ready and so far I am doing much better. I am more suited to it now."
Class act this lad
who's arsed?
... But no one else has joined it 
, because he gives the ball away too much.
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