Meanwhile, Albert Riera has backed team-mate Fernando Torres to win one of the most prestigious awards in world football after linking up with him at Anfield and seeing for himself just how good the Spanish striker is.

After a magnificent debut season in English football in which he scored 33 goals, Torres went on to score the winner for Spain in the Euro 2008 final and Riera believes such sensational form should not go unrecognised when the winner of the European Footballer of the Year Award is announced later this year.

Torres is likely to face serious competition from the likes of Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, but as far Riera is concerned the prestigious Ballon d’Or should be Anfield bound.

He said: “I am doing good things alongside Fernando Torres, who is a partner and a good friend. To me he should win the Ballon d'Or.”

Liverpool are to take a longer look at teenage trialist Medi Abalimba after the Congolese-born midfielder played for Gary Ablett’s reserve side in Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat at Man City.

The 16-year-old was today due to play in a training game after current club Southend United allowed him to remain with the Reds until the end of the week.