Anfield chief executive Rick Parry missed the Champions League qualifier with Standard Liege after travelling to Barcelona for negotiations with Espanyol officials.

Talks were expected to be finalised with the fee set to rise depending on the player’s progress. Riera is now hoping to be on Merseyside for a medical before putting pen to paper on a four-year contract with the option of a fifth year.

Riera, who spent an underwhelming spell on loan at Manchester City two years ago, moved back into Rafa Benitez’s sights when he was forced to abandon his interest in Gareth Barry.

Liverpool head to Villa Park at the weekend with relations between Benitez and Martin O’Neill having disintegrated over the Barry saga.