Brendan Rodgers has rubbished rumors that Liverpool is on the lookout for a goalkeeper — insisting it already has one of the very best around.
The boss has no intention of countenancing offers for the 30-year-old, who has been Liverpool’s No. 1 since 2005, and nor is there anything in newspaper reports linking the club with other stoppers.
And Rodgers has gone further by revealing how Reina’s dedication to the cause has seen him put in extra work in training.
“There’s nothing whatsoever in any of those stories about Pepe,” said Rodgers. “I want to make it 150 percent clear because I’ve read about goalkeepers linked and him leaving.
“This is a guy who is in a real good moment. He is the No. 1 ‘keeper for Liverpool. Yes, he will admit it himself, he probably had a difficult couple of years but he now has a sense of his best years are in front of him, not behind him.
“He has lost weight, he looks fresh, he looks bright and he is doing extra work. It is a great step forward for him and his commitment in terms of him staying at Liverpool.
“At this very moment in time he has three years left on his contract and I think he has his best years ahead of him.
“Now he is committed to the plan of what we are all trying to do which is to fight every single day and there is nobody fighting harder than him at the minute.
“Pepe is a wonderful guy, a real team player and we have seen in the last number of games he is really getting up to speed and he will be a very important part of how we work.”
Reina endured a rare spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury during October and the start of November, giving an opportunity for Brad Jones to make his first Barclays Premier League starts for the club.
The Australian put in a series of assured displays, leaving Rodgers more than happy with his goalkeeping resources.
“I am not on the lookout for another goalkeeper and any areas we look to improve will be in other areas,” he added.
“Of course you are always looking for talent but what we have is one of the best No.1 ‘keepers in the Premier League in Pepe Reina, and then Brad Jones, who was a No.3 or No.4 ‘keeper here but has really kicked on since the summer.
“In the games Brad has played he’s showed he is a very loyal and supportive No.2. Our job then below that is to ensure we have top young talents who can then hopefully challenge at the top end.
“Brad is another one I would like to keep. His contract is something we are looking at at the moment.”
Photo via Liverpoolfc.com
