Cut out all errors raps Reds' Riera; Spanish star Albert fires a message for the new season.

Byline: David Prentice

Or visit our web forums at liverpoolecho.co.uk or email us at liverpoolecho.co.uk

ALBERT RIERA is targeting an error-free Premier League season - as Liverpool bid to make the final leap from challengers to champions.

Riera, who made his Reds debut against champions Manchester United last season, saw Rafael Benitez's side cut the gap on the Old Trafford side to just four points.

But with the margins for error in the English game so fine, he believes that the Reds must look to make even fewer mistakes in their pursuit of the Premier League title next season.

The Reds have endured almost 20 years without bringing the English top-flight crown back to Anfield, where it spent so much time in the 1970s and 1980s.

Cutting down the errors and concentrating in every match is the only thing that will break the drought, according to the Balearic Islander.

"Last year the winner had 90 points, that means you cannot have a lot of mistakes, he said after Liverpool's successful tour of the Far East.

"You need to win every single game."

Liverpool defeated United at Anfield in Riera's debut appearance.

They also claimed the scalp of Chelsea and drew with Arsenal in one of the Premier League's most gripping matches of the modern era.

But improving the home performances in games against the Premier League's lesser lights - points were dropped against Stoke, Hull City, Fulham, West Ham and Manchester City - would also be a key issue for the campaign ahead, the Spaniard felt.

Too many games at Anfield were drawn, and the points lost proved crucial at the end of the season, when Manchester United were crowned champions once more.

"Our mistakes last year were at Anfield, when we made three draws in a row and we lost six points. We cannot lose those points (again)," he concluded.

Riera himself enjoyed a steady start to his Anfield career, but is looking to build on those displays at the club last season, and to improve once more over the forthcoming season, now that he has fully acclimatised to English football.

Riera played 40 games for the Reds last season, scoring five goals, and the 27-year-old is hoping to help the Merseysiders go one better than their runners-up spot last season, and end the long wait for a league title, with the team''s results against the ' big four'' last season showing that they were capable of doing so.

"I always think I can be better, but I think for my first season at Anfield I did okay," he admitted.

"It''s never easy for a playermoving to a new club. Adapting wasn''t as difficult for me because I''d been in England before.

"I can improve and I have to. I know that and I will be trying to do that in the new season.

"The Champions League and Premier League are massive and I enjoy taking part in them.

"The fact that we had some terrific results against good opponents obviously helps.

"We did well against United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Real Madrid, home and away.

"The only real disappointment in those big games came when we faced Chelsea at home in the European Cup.

"Apart from that, the other results show that we are a good team and are ready to fight for the title.

"We were able to go away from home against top sides and do well. That''s what you need."

Riera also asserted that he feels Rafael Benitez''s side do have the mentality to handle the pressure of a title challenge, despite many observers feeling that they choked slightly when the heat rose in last season''s race for the Premier League crown.

"I realised straight awaywhen I came here that the mentality was different to what I''d experienced. It is a winning attitude and that means pressure is no problem for us, he add.

"I think you always have to improve, all of us. You do that by working harder. I''m sure we will all be doing exactly that."

Riera returns to his homeland and his former club this weekend when the Reds play their latest pre-season friendly against Espanyol.

Liverpool will be the Barcelona based club's first guests as the Spanish club open their new stadium before next season.

Los Periquitos ended their association with the Montjuic Stadium last season, with the brand new 40,000-seater Cornella -El Prat stadium ready for action this term.

The match will not, however, be a reunion for Reds old boy Steve Finnan.

Finnan joined Portsmouth this summer, after being released from the final year of his contract with Espanyol.

The Republic of Ireland international, who only moved to Spain from Liverpool last summer, has called time on his injury-hit career in La Liga after just one season.

The 33-year-old made over 200 appearances during his five years at Anfield after moving to Merseyside from Fulham before being allowed to depart by Rafa Benitez.

Espanyol and their fans are thrilled to be facing the Reds.

After that clash Liverpool head across to Scandinavia where they face FC Lyn of Oslo before finalising their pre-season preparations against Atletico Madrid at Anfield.

CAPTION(S):

JOY BOYS: Albert Riera is hoping for happy times at Anfield this season EASTERN PROMISE: Albert Riera was amongst the Reds stars who were mobbed on tour