Previously an average loanee with Manchester City, Riera was signed to bring much-needed width to the Liverpool team though many questioned his ability to produce in England - especially considering he'd failed to impress in a previous stint.
A pacey player with good delivery who likes to take on an opponent, he began his career at Real Mallorca, making his debut in the 2000/01 season.
It wasn't until the 2002/03 season when the player really broke into the first team as Mallorca won the Spanish Cup.
Those performances earned a move to Bordeaux in 2003 and while he was a regular with the Ligue 1 side he returned to Spain with Espanyol in the summer of 2005.
Manchester City signed the Spanish winger on loan for the remainder of the season when the transfer window opened in January 2006, with a view to a permanent move.
Riera, a naturally left-sided wide man, ade his City debut in the memorable 3-1 derby victory at home to Manchester United. He played 19 games for the club, scoring one goal. City boss Stuart Pearce decided against making the move a permanent one.
Back at Espanyol, Riera enjoyed a successful 2006/07 - which included a goal in the final of the UEFA Cup although his team lost on penalties to Sevilla.
Riera made 72 appearances for Espanyol before moving to Anfield for a fee in the region of £8million.
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