Liverpool are set to sign Spain international midfielder Albert Riera from Espanyol, the Spanish first division side have announced.

Riera, 26, will travel to Liverpool on Friday for a medical before the clubs sign a final contract, the Barcelona-based club said on its website, but did not disclose the transfer fee.

The left-sided midfielder had a brief but unspectacular spell in England on loan to Manchester City for part of the 2005/06 season.

He has also been a target of Liverpool's city rivals Everton.