Football: Riedle to show a head for heights

Karlheinz Riedle is aiming to emulate the success of Jurgen Klinsmann in the Premiership, but the 31-year-old former Borussia Dortmund player has a hard act to follow.

Riedle knows he must go one better and make Liverpool's pounds 12m investment pay off by bringing them the title.

"I know what an impact Klinsmann made here and he showed what a great competition the Premier League is. It became renowned in my homeland and all over Europe.

"England now has a lot of strangers from other countries playing here and I realise it is a hard competition and a great challenge. I hope I can make as big an impact as Klinsmann did," Riedle said yesterday.

"I have played at the top in Germany and have also done the same in Italy with Lazio and I am looking forward to the challenge of English football.

"I have watched videos of the team and my style is to score goals with my head. From what I have seen, the Liverpool style will fit mine very well."

Roy Evans, the Liverpool manager, said: "I am delighted to have Karlheinz here. He has been a great success at all levels as an international with his club and in Europe.

"I see him paired with Robbie Fowler who, when he is back from missing the first couple of weeks with his slight knee ligament problem, I am sure will form a good partnership."

Evans is aware that this Anglo-German pairing has to work as the pressure is on the Anfield manager to break Manchester United's stranglehold on the title. Failure after so much financial outlay will put his own position in doubt.

Riedle, well thought of in Germany but significantly allowed to leave Dortmund with a year left on his contract and not too much opposition from the European champions, suggests he too does not have time on his side. Out injured for a long time last season, he only got back into the team for the knock-out stages of the Champions' League.

Riedle also acquired a reputation in Italy for being injury prone and he will need to dispel those fears.

"I had a neck problem last season and it left me out but it's all right now, I am fit and looking forward to the challenge. I want to score goals and bring the championship to Liverpool; that is my aim," Riedle said.

Newcastle are turning to South America in a bid to solve their striking problems. The Brazilian club Palmeiras said Newcastle have been in touch with them regarding the availability of the pounds 3m-rated Viola, who has expressed a wish to move to Europe.

Kenny Dalglish, the Newcastle manager, desperately needs to boost his options up front following Alan Shearer's injury and the sale of Les Ferdinand to Tottenham.

Peter Beardsley still has to be persuaded to pull out of a proposed move to Bolton and a deal to buy the Norwegian player Stig Johansen is in doubt.

Celtic have solved their immediate goalkeeping worries with the signing of Bradford City's Jonathan Gould, the son of the Welsh manager, Bobby, on a one-year deal. Gould will act as cover for Gordon Marshall for the Uefa Cup second qualifying round tie against Tirol Innsbruck later this month.

Barcelona will not pursue the signature of the teenage Brazil striker Denilson as his club, Sao Paulo, will only sell for an "exorbitant" pounds 14m, with Barca's Brazilian international Giovanni, valued at an additional pounds 8m, included as a makeweight.