Reina to get new contract?

[jimmylibel]

Liverpool open Reina contract talks as Valencia refuse to go away

 

 

Dominic Fifield

Wednesday November 29, 2006

The Guardian

 

 

Liverpool have opened negotiations with José Reina over an extension to his contract in an attempt to ward off persistent interest in the Spain goalkeeper from Rafael Benítez's former club, Valencia.

Reina, 24, still has well over two years to run on the deal he signed when he joined from Villarreal for £6m in the summer of 2005, but Valencia have contacted his representatives about a potential move. The implication is that they may try to sign him under the Bosman ruling when his Anfield contract expires, even though that is as far off as 2009.

 

Benítez is keen to tie his goalkeeper down until 2011 at least. Reina, who kept 29 clean sheets in his first season at the club and has nine this term, is likely to see his salary increase, with Benítez encouraged by his return to form after a suspect start to this campaign, an initial sluggishness attributed to the World Cup finals.

"I'm really pleased with Pepé and we're talking to him about extending his contract here," said the Liverpool manager. "He's got two more years after this season, which is enough. But we're looking to extend it because we know there were some clubs asking about him and we don't want to sell him.

 

"We want to show we have confidence in him. When we decided to bring him here it was because we knew he was a very good goalkeeper but I also knew the person and his mentality. He's a very good professional, always joking in the dressing room. It's all very positive. He's getting back to his best, it's clear. He's better now and the team is better too. He needed confidence and, after two or three clean sheets he's back up there.

 

"He's still very young but, for me, he's one of the top three goalkeepers in England. In Spain now he's No1. Whether he plays or not for his country depends on the manager but, while we have some good goalkeepers in Spain, he's No1 as far as I'm concerned."

 

Liverpool will need him tonight as Benítez considers employing one of his trio of centre-halves as an emergency central midfielder because Boudewijn Zenden will undergo surgery today on a tear to the lateral meniscus in a knee. The Dutchman joins Mohamed Sissoko, recovering from a dislocated shoulder, on the sidelines and, with Xabi Alonso rated doubtful because of a hip injury, that leaves only Steven Gerrard available in central midfield.

 

Jamie Carragher has featured for England as a defensive midfielder and Daniel Agger could arguably be used in the role but the Liverpool manager's instinct is to go with Sami Hyypia in the position. "His was the first name that came into my head to replace Bolo," said Benítez. "People have been saying that Agger's emergence might mean the end for Sami but maybe he can play as a holding midfielder. I need to check whether he has the tactical movement and awareness you need playing there, but it's not difficult."

 

Link

 

 

 

Fifield was on Newstalk last night and was saying that Rafa sees Sami as being able to play the Argentine No. 5 role - ie Mascherano.

[Guest PaulMcC]

Wouldn't like Sami in midfield tbh. His passing isn't good enough and he isn't mobile enough.

[Ronnie Whelan]

Surely all Rafa is saying is that he still has options there for tonight. I would be very surprised if Sami plays in the middle of the park.

[Falconhoof]

Sami in midfield, can't see that working. He isn't quick enough or able to change direction quick enough.

 

Can't wait to see how rafa plays this one.

[fyds]

Sami in midfield, can't see that working. He isn't quick enough or able to change direction quick enough.

 

Can't wait to see how rafa plays this one.

Given his positional sense and timing, if he was used in a Didi-like stop and break up role, lay it off, pass out wide way he could do that with Carra, Agger and co behind him - provided the front end did their share of occupying Portsmouth.

[Lark]

sell reina, dudek, carson - get this fella

 

 

problem solved

[12twelve]

I've played 5-a-side with this guy and he's certainly no goalkeeper!

[Figaro]

Keep Reina for life

[Shadow Moon]

Sami in midfield, can't see that working. He isn't quick enough or able to change direction quick enough.

This is kind of ironic on hindsight, because I distinctly remember Houllier mentioning that he watched Hyypia play for Finland as a midfielder, before signging him?

[Falconhoof]

This is kind of ironic on hindsight, because I distinctly remember Houllier mentioning that he watched Hyypia play for Finland as a midfielder, before signging him?

 

 

i'm not sure its ironic ?

 

A younger Hyppia may have had the elasticity and was mobile enough to play in the hurly burly of midfield. The Hyppia we have now, at the tail end of his career isn't mobile or elastic but thats just age, happens to us all.

[Ronnie Whelan]

Exactly. If you are going to play as a holding midfielder of sorts then you need to be able to move. Sami us a terrific reader of the game but he has not got the legs to play in that position. Of course Rafa will make a liar out of me by playing him in that position.

[surf]

"People have been saying that Agger's emergence might mean the end for Sami but maybe he can play as a holding midfielder. I need to check whether he has the tactical movement and awareness you need playing there, but it's not difficult."

 

 

I expect the 'he' to refer to Dani rather than to Sami. I'm sure Rafa already knows Sami's long enough to know his level of movement and awareness.

[Bailo]

Nice stat here from the Offal.

 

"The clean-sheet Reina kept against Pompey was his 26th in 48 League games for the Reds, meaning he has set a new club goalkeeping record. No previous Liverpool keeper has registered more shut-outs in their first 50 full matches."

 

Though for the bold bit.

Edited November 30, 2006 by Phorum Dunce

[Mike]

reina needs to work on his distribution, its bloody awful.

[muleskinner]

reina needs to work on his distribution, its bloody awful.

 

It can be fantastic, as against PSV for Gerrards goal, but it can be s**** as you say.

[Internationinteroperability]

reina needs to work on his distribution, its bloody awful.

 

He has his moments though.

 

Had Crouch only been a bit more aware then Reina would have had an assist to Kuyt's assist for Crouch's not-taken goal against Man City.