Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Liverpool stopper wants to be there for many years to come


Pepe Reina insists Rafa Benitez's Liverpool project is still very much on course as he looks to commit his long-term future to the Reds.

Benitez revealed in an interview with Liverpoolfc.tv on Friday that Reina could soon be rewarded with a new deal.

After almost five years at Anfield, the Spain international is as happy as ever - and he is adamant the boss is building something special despite mixed results this season.

"My aim is to get a new contract in the future and I want to be here for many years. Apparently the club wants the same," Reina told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"It's already my fifth season here and that says it all, really. One of my daughters is a Scouser. I have some friends here and my wife and kids are happy. I have every reason to stay longer and of course I will.

"Titles are what we are all here for. As a Liverpool player, you have to have these ambitions. Trophies are the most important thing, and the most important one is probably the Premier League.

"Rafa Benitez is building something special here. He proved that when he came here - the club was one thing and now it's something totally different. We have grown up and we can still grow up a little bit more."

The 3-1 defeat at Fulham on Saturday was Liverpool's fifth loss of the league campaign, a stat which has left them nine points behind leaders Chelsea.

But with 81 points still to play for, Reina is confident the Reds can yet mount a serious title charge.

"It's not even close to being over," said the Spaniard, who has made 221 appearances since joining from Villarreal in 2005.

"We have to go game by game. Now we must focus on Lyon, which is massive, and after that Birmingham is a must-win game."

Reina was the man who orchestrated a group huddle before Liverpool's victory over Manchester United a week ago.

He believes such spirit will be key to getting the Reds back on course over the coming weeks.

"All of us have to keep everyone else's head up," said the 27-year-old.

"In weak moments, strong people have to appear. I want to be one of them and support my teammates if they need it.

"The key is to stay together and not read the press. Belief is the word we need to use the most - belief in ourselves and our teammates.

"We were a bit unlucky on Saturday. We didn't play as bad as at other times. It was not even close to our worst game.

"It's a tough moment but we have to stick together and try to sort things out on the pitch and in every single training session. We have pride in wearing this shirt and we have to defend it until the end.

"Any defeat hurts someone with ambition and someone who is hungry for titles. But it doesn't matter how many times you fall down - what matters is how many times you get up and keep trying to be the best.

"That's what we have to do now. We have to go back to our principles, sort out the problems we're having and go back to being the Liverpool everyone wants."

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