Liverpool 'agree' £8million deal for Spanish keeper

[wat_boy]

Reina has caught the eye of a number of clubs with his displays for Villareal this season in both the UEFA Cup and the Spanish league and although under contract until 2012 has a release clause that Liverpool's bid has activated.

The 22-year-old is set to sign a three-year deal with a further 12-month option that will make him Liverpool's number one with Scott Carson as his understudy in a move that will see the end of Jerzy Dudek and Chris Kirkland's time at the club.

i heard this rumour a couple of weeks ago on one of the lfc forums and have seen him a couple of times on the revista de la liga show since on sky sports and he looks the real deal.

[Philby]

The only time I saw him play he let in a free-kick from miles out (~40 yards) but apparently he is a very good shot-stopper.

If the rumour that he has turned down an offer from the mancs is true then it'll be all the sweeter if he turns out to be the answer to our goalkeeping woes.

[Captain Planet]

Personally I hope dudek has a great season with whoever he joins. good ridance to kirkland. Another spaniard though. hmm. better not be a nunez.

[Rebelred]

whats the story with carson then?

[Captain Planet]

whats the story with carson then?
Understudy. he'll be studying a long time if the other fella is only 22

[Rebelred]

Understudy. he'll be studying a long time if the other fella is only 22
thats what i was thinking.Reina started out with Barca i think.dont know what the story is with him though,havent seen him play.
Silly season approaches,from here until the window opens we'll have plenty rumours to mull over.

[TonyCochrane]

I don't think Reina is that big of a guy, a good keeper certainly but he's maybe someone who might find the buffeting in the Prem a bit much, a la Lehmann. Have a read off the article below for all you need to know about Spanish keepers.

http://soccernet.espn.go.co m/feature?id=325659&cc=5739

[Out da Lough Like]

I don't think Reina is that big of a guy, a good keeper certainly but he's maybe someone who might find the buffeting in the Prem a bit much, a la Lehmann. Have a read off the article below for all you need to know about Spanish keepers.

http://soccernet.espn.go.co m/feature?id=325659&cc=5739

"That guy? He doesn't know his football"

[TonyCochrane]

The fountain at dawn.

[AmadeusDC]

"That guy? He doesn't know his football"

explain............. not that i disagree with you, but why do you say that?

-AmadeusDC-

[Mr. R.M. Keane]

Has Kirkland been that bad at Liverpool? In fairness he's suffered some terrible injuries but does he not deserve a season as all out number 1?

[TonyCochrane]

Has Kirkland been that bad at Liverpool? In fairness he's suffered some terrible injuries but does he not deserve a season as all out number 1?
If he stays fit he probably does, but that's a big if. Having said that however it seems that most of his injuries result from when he shows courage and goes in somewhere he probably shouldn't. I would not be a hundred percent positive and a pool supporter might know better but i don't think it is one chronic injury problem but rather a collection of unrelated injuries.

[Out da Lough Like]

I think his temperament could be a bit suspect as well.

[Philby]

I'm very pissed off with Reina....he should've put his fist through that dutch cnut and knocked him into next week. Pointless getting sent off for barely touching him.

[janglinjack]

He shouldn't have been sent off, it was a peach of a tackle. He clearly took the ball and if you can't take a bit of the man too in those situations, then where's the fun in being a defensive player?

[ho chi feen]

He shouldn't have been sent off, it was a peach of a tackle. He clearly took the ball and if you can't take a bit of the man too in those situations, then where's the fun in being a defensive player?

It might have passed you by, but that kind of tackle was ruled illegal, oooh, all of 12 years ago. It's a highly unprofessional and dangerous thing to attempt, and worthy of a yellow card. And contact or not, striking to hit a fellow professional is a yellow card offence at the minimum, and in certain cases (Ronaldo a few weeks back, for example) a straight red.

[Rebelred]

He shouldn't have been sent off, it was a peach of a tackle. He clearly took the ball and if you can't take a bit of the man too in those situations, then where's the fun in being a defensive player?
he got sent off for raising his hand to robbens face, not the original tackle itself.

[Out da Lough Like]

It might have passed you by, but that kind of tackle was ruled illegal, oooh, all of 12 years ago. It's a highly unprofessional and dangerous thing to attempt, and worthy of a yellow card. And contact or not, striking to hit a fellow professional is a yellow card offence at the minimum, and in certain cases (Ronaldo a few weeks back, for example) a straight red.


And he was the last man back as well, and the opposing player would have been through on goal.....

[ho chi feen]

And he was the last man back as well, and the opposing player would have been through on goal.....

Logically, it could be interepreted as such but anyone who ref who would ought to be consigned to nuthouse, or the Eircom League.

[shammy feen]

He shouldn't have been sent off, it was a peach of a tackle. He clearly took the ball and if you can't take a bit of the man too in those situations, then where's the fun in being a defensive player?

Rules of the game say if you tackle from behind, its a yellow card, whether you get the ball or not.

[Out da Lough Like]

Logically, it could be interepreted as such but anyone who ref who would ought to be consigned to nuthouse, or the Eircom League.





I think I get the gist of what you are saying.

[Philby]

Hansen & Dalglish talking up Reina. Looking back across the season he has been very impressive. He has kept a huge amout of clean sheets (albeit with help from a v. solid defence), has looked an assured presence and come up with many vital saves when required.

Dalglish - “The defence and the keeper have developed a great understanding and it’s very rarely you see them caught out as a unit.
“When the team occasionally lapses, as is bound to happen every now and then, they’ve the perfect lifejacket in Reina.
“He’s superb. There are a lot of talented keepers in the world but I don’t think our fans would have us swap Pepe for anyone. That says a lot.”


Hansen - “No one should ever underestimate how important a good goalkeeper is to a team — and Rafa has signed a really good one.
“He said at the time Reina was a great keeper and has been proved right. Look at Sunday’s game. That save from Stelios was so important"

"Although Stelios did not hit his shot too well, Reina made a world-class save.
“His reactions were great and that stop made the difference between Liverpool being under pressure very early on to try to get back into the game and being able to stay in control.
“Liverpool have been missing a world-class keeper but that’s no longer the case. The number of clean sheets the defence has kept so far this season is nothing short of exceptional."

[Philby]

Regardless of what happens for the rest of the season Reina will have kept more clean sheets than anyone else for both of the 2 years he has been in English football.

Considering Liverpool's previous problems with keepers, his price tag & his age he has a fair call at being Rafa's best signing for Liverpool (up there with Alonso & Agger).

Reina's record at Liverpool

-----------------PL--------------FAC------------LC--------------CL------------Other-----------Total
-----------Apps---CS-----Apps---CS-----Apps---CS-----Apps---CS-----Apps---CS-----Apps---CS
05-06-----33------20-------5------2--------0------0--------13-----7--------2-------1-------53----30
06-07-----33------18-------0------0--------1------0--------11-----6--------1-------0-------46----24
Total------66------38-------5------2--------1------0--------24-----13-------3-------1-------99----54

[KolaKubes]

Regardless of what happens for the rest of the season Reina will have kept more clean sheets than anyone else for both of the 2 years he has been in English football.

Considering Liverpool's previous problems with keepers, his price tag & his age he has a fair call at being Rafa's best signing for Liverpool (up there with Alonso & Agger).

Reina's record at Liverpool

-----------------PL--------------FAC------------LC--------------CL------------Other-----------Total
-----------Apps---CS-----Apps---CS-----Apps---CS-----Apps---CS-----Apps---CS-----Apps---CS
05-06-----33------20-------5------2--------0------0--------13-----7--------2-------1-------53----30
06-07-----33------18-------0------0--------1------0--------11-----6--------1-------0-------46----24
Total------66------38-------5------2--------1------0--------24-----13-------3-------1-------99----54

Hardly surprising playing for an uber-defensive cup side though is it?

Heh heh. ;)

[homer jay]

he has done well, is a very good shot stopper and is really good at keeping the concentration to be able to pull off a good save after long stretches with nothing to do. he still flaps at the odd cross, but is generally quite commanding in the area.

one of the highlights so far was seeing him punch drogba in the face during chelsea's consolation goal in last seasons FA cup semi :p

[wat_boy]

the speed and accuracy of his distribution is absolute top class

[Philby]

He's also excellent at coming off his line to meet through balls which pierce the defence...he's very fast. The fact that he can also fit in @ centre-mid is probably which Rafa likes him so much!!

[Philby]

Regardless of what happens for the rest of the season Reina will have kept more clean sheets than anyone else for both of the 2 years he has been in English football.

Make that 3 seasons running.

With 17 clean sheets from 37 Premier League games this term, Reina is one ahead of Pompey 'keeper David James, who has been ruled out of this weekend's fixtures with a calf injury.

Pepe Reina's shut-outs:

Aug 25, Sunderland (a) 0-2
Sept 1, Derby County (h) 6-0
Sept 15, Portsmouth (a) 0-0
Sept 22, Birmingham City (h) 0-0
Sept 29, Wigan Athletic (a) 0-1
Nov 3, Blackburn Rovers (a) 0-0
Nov 10, Fulham (h) 2-0
Nov 24, Newcastle United (a) 0-3
Dec 2, Bolton Wanderers (h) 4-0
Dec 30, Manchester City (a) 0-0
Feb 2, Sunderland (h) 3-0
Feb 10, Chelsea (a) 0-0
Mar 5, West Ham United (h) 4-0
Mar 8, Newcastle United (h) 3-0
Mar 30, Everton (h) 1-0
April 19, Fulham (a) 0-2
May 4, Manchester City (h) 1-0

[Jim Comic]

a few clean sheets in games v arsenal or utd wouldn't go amiss though

[Roman Abramovich]

Make that 3 seasons running.

With 17 clean sheets from 37 Premier League games this term, Reina is one ahead of Pompey 'keeper David James, who has been ruled out of this weekend's fixtures with a calf injury.

Pepe Reina's shut-outs:

Aug 25, Sunderland (a) 0-2
Sept 1, Derby County (h) 6-0
Sept 15, Portsmouth (a) 0-0
Sept 22, Birmingham City (h) 0-0
Sept 29, Wigan Athletic (a) 0-1
Nov 3, Blackburn Rovers (a) 0-0
Nov 10, Fulham (h) 2-0
Nov 24, Newcastle United (a) 0-3
Dec 2, Bolton Wanderers (h) 4-0
Dec 30, Manchester City (a) 0-0
Feb 2, Sunderland (h) 3-0
Feb 10, Chelsea (a) 0-0
Mar 5, West Ham United (h) 4-0
Mar 8, Newcastle United (h) 3-0
Mar 30, Everton (h) 1-0
April 19, Fulham (a) 0-2
May 4, Manchester City (h) 1-0

didnt keep clean sheets against arsenal, utd, villa, spurs, boro, reading,
teams that would be considered attacking teams.

reina is a class keeper though.

[legend76]

didnt keep clean sheets against arsenal, utd, villa, spurs, boro, reading,
teams that would be considered attacking teams.

reina is a class keeper though.

i don't think he'll keep a clean sheet sunday either

[Jim Comic]

sunday is irrelevant, 'pool need him to keep more clean sheets in games that matter vs other sides in the top 6

[Philby]

Yes Liverpool need to drastically improve their results (not necesarilly their performances to the same degree) against the top 4 in future seasons but I wouldn't lay the blame at Reina's door.

[xvis]

Yes Liverpool need to drastically improve their results (not necesarilly their performances to the same degree) against the top 4 in future seasons but I wouldn't lay the blame at Reina's door.

you would at Old Trafford this year.

[Philby]

Didn't catch that game myself but heard that he was at fault but also pulled off a few good saves...can't really comment. Across the season though, and his entire time at the club, I have been highly impressed by Jose Reina & hope he stays at Anfield for many more years (although like the rest of the spanish contingent he might see Anfield as a less attractive prospect should Rafa leave).

[emurf]

Didn't catch that game myself but heard that he was at fault but also pulled off a few good saves...can't really comment. Across the season though, and his entire time at the club, I have been highly impressed by Jose Reina & hope he stays at Anfield for many more years (although like the rest of the spanish contingent he might see Anfield as a less attractive prospect should Rafa leave).

At fault for what keeping a clean sheet?

[kevinbitzz]

At fault for what keeping a clean sheet?

Philby was on about the game V Manchester Utd. (i think)

[emurf]

Sorry Thought he was on about today's game

[kevinbitzz]

thats ok, we'll leave this one slide, however if it happens again......

[Philby]

Reina breaks another club record.

When you take into account what went before him he is fast becoming Benitez's most important signing.

It's interesting though that this season is likely to be the first season that Reina isn't likely to keep (currently behind VDS & Cech) the most clean sheets in the premiership yet Liverpool are better placed in the league than they have been for years.

Benitez hails record-breaking Reina

Pepe Reina can become a Liverpool legend, according to manager Rafael Benitez. The Spaniard kept his 100th clean sheet for the club in Sunday's 5-0 romp against Aston Villa, becoming the fastest Liverpool goalkeeper to reach the landmark. Reina took 197 games to reach his ton - breaking Ray Clemence's previous record of 200 - and Benitez says he doesn't get the credit he deserves.
"If you ask me about Clemence I will tell you he was a fantastic goalkeeper and a legend," Benitez said. "I think in the future people will know just how good Pepe is as a goalkeeper.
"He gives the team a lot of confidence; don't forget he is a young player so I think he can still improve."

[xvis]

I think he's looked shakier this year than last ...quite a few shaky moments at Portsmouth and Stoke etc etc.


..but he's making up for it with lots of assists, so not too bad overall.

[Philby]

Like every keeper he has had a few moments this year where he has looked a bit vulnerable (almost entirely on crosses) but you'd find it a hard search to go through the goals Liverpool have conceded this year and attribute them to goalkeeping errors..and an even harder search to find ones that have cost Liverpool points.

He has also pulled off some quality saves at crucial points in big games (even this week against Villa he made two fine saves at 0-0 and 1-0) while also being lightening quick off his line (too eager vs Utd last week though!) and showing great distribution skills.

A very solid season again from Reina and that solidity is definitely a factor in Liverpool's strong performances in the league and in Europe this year.

Given his age and transfer fee (£6m was widely reported at the time) he's been a fine buy indeed.

[Edmund Blackwater]

I think he's looked shakier this year than last ...quite a few shaky moments at Portsmouth and Stoke etc etc.

I'm going to have to disagree with this. His command of the box has improved immensely in my opinion. And he's still a very good shot stopper and distributor of the ball. He's up there with Cech and maybe Given as one of the best in England.

[Philby]

Barcelona to launch audacious raid on Anfield

Barcelona are set to launch a bid for Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina, after their contract talks with Victor Valdes broke down.

Reports in Spain suggest the newly crowned European Champions will step up their raid on Anfield, having been linked with Javier Mascherano last week, with a £17 million bid.

Sources close to the Catalan giants believe they could sign the former Real Madrid player if he requests a move. Spanish publication El Mundo Deportivo indicate Reina may favour a return to La Liga after four years at Anfield, although Rafa Benitez is extremely unlikely to sell the player.

The current incumbent of Barcelona’s number one jersey Valdes, reportedly demanded wage parity with Xavi Hernandez and a deal worth £150,000 a week, however the Nou Camp’s money men are unwilling to budge on their initial offer of £100,000 a week.

Valdes has since been linked with Manchester United, and with a over a year left to run on his current deal, the Spanish Treble winners may look to cash in on the 27 year old.

http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/21769/Barcelona_to_launch_ audacious_raid_on_An field_.aspx

[hiawatha]

He never played for Real Madrid, did he?

[Philby]

Good spot. Shoddy journalism there. Reina is ex-Barca (via Villareal).

[hiawatha]

Good spot. Shoddy journalism there. Reina is ex-Barca (via Villareal).

I thought so alright.

[AmadeusDC]

The current incumbent of Barcelona’s number one jersey [B]Valdes, reportedly demanded wage parity with Xavi Hernandez and a deal worth £150,000 a week, however the Nou Camp’s money men are unwilling to budge on their initial offer of £100,000 a week.
http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/21769/Barcelona_to_launch_ audacious_raid_on_An field_.aspx

Is this fella having a laugh? One is probably the best player in his position in the world. The other might not even be the best in his city. Valdes has come on a lot but he is still a very very ordinary keeper. There is a huge gulf between him and the top goalkeepers out there. He should bite the hand off them if they are really offering 100K a week cause if they flog him he could easily end up in the "where are they now" category within a couple of seasons.

-AmadeusDC-

[Lapsy Pa]

He never played for Real Madrid, did he?

No, but he was born in Madrid

[Jim Comic]

his dad played for athletico madrid i think

[Loftydog]

his dad played for athletico madrid i think

Played in the 1975? European cup final for Atletico Madrid against Bayern Munich. Conceded a last minute equaliser and Bayern won the replay 4-0

[Jim Comic]

Played in the 1975? European cup final for Atletico Madrid against Bayern Munich. Conceded a last minute equaliser and Bayern won the replay 4-0



aye, that's him alright

[STEVIEG]

One is probably the best player in his position in the world.

who?

[AmadeusDC]

who?

Xavi obviously.

-AmadeusDC-

[STEVIEG]

Xavi obviously.

-AmadeusDC-

I now see what you are getting at

I thought you were calling Reina the worlds best

Xavi is a top player

Valdes, though not rated here, is highly thought of in Spain but not a great keeper IMO; Reina is better

[Lee Bushwacker]

Is this fella having a laugh? One is probably the best player in his position in the world. The other might not even be the best in his city. Valdes has come on a lot but he is still a very very ordinary keeper. There is a huge gulf between him and the top goalkeepers out there. He should bite the hand off them if they are really offering 100K a week cause if they flog him he could easily end up in the "where are they now" category within a couple of seasons.

-AmadeusDC-

:)
The nail on the head Amadeus!

[Lee Bushwacker]

I now see what you are getting at

I thought you were calling Reina the worlds best

Xavi is a top player

Valdes, though not rated here, is highly thought of in Spain but not a great keeper IMO; Reina is better

:cool:
Valdes is almost the exact opposite to Ilker Casillas.
Casillas is a great keeper who in recent years has time after time saved a suspect defence.
On the other hand Valdes is protected by players who hold and use the ball very well so he is under far less pressure that other keepers. Even some Barca fans that I know here in Málaga are not convinced by V.V. His wage demands are totally out of proportion to his contribution and Barca have 4/5 possible replacements in mind as they believe that getting Reina is going to be very difficult.
Valdes next season? Tenerife, Zaragoza or somewhere similar and on vastly reduced wages. ;)

[STEVIEG]

I think Casillas is a bit dodge too but in fairness both he and Valdes have proved themselves on big big occassions many times so both Spanish clubs could be doing worse

[AmadeusDC]

:cool:
Valdes is almost the exact opposite to Ilker Casillas.
Casillas is a great keeper who in recent years has time after time saved a suspect defence.
On the other hand Valdes is protected by players who hold and use the ball very well so he is under far less pressure that other keepers. Even some Barca fans that I know here in Málaga are not convinced by V.V. His wage demands are totally out of proportion to his contribution and Barca have 4/5 possible replacements in mind as they believe that getting Reina is going to be very difficult.
Valdes next season? Tenerife, Zaragoza or somewhere similar and on vastly reduced wages. ;)

Valdes needs to accept his role as the Sebastiano Rossi of this team. If that comes with a 100K a week pay packet then he'd should be damn grateful! He could be very easily replaced.

-AmadeusDC-