Rafael Benitez has hailed Pepe Reina as the best goalkeeper in the Premier League as his fellow Spaniard closes in on another Liverpool landmark.
Reina is only seven shy of recording a century of clean sheets having already taken less time to reach 50 shut-outs than any keeper in the Anfield outfit’s history.
The 26-year-old has won the Premier League Golden Gloves award for the most clean sheets in all three previous seasons since his £6million arrival from Villarreal in 2005.
Reina and Chelsea’s Petr Cech have both kept 11 clean sheets this season, the highest figure in the top flight.
And Liverpool manager Benitez believes Reina has now surpassed Cech as the number one number one in English football.
“In the first year we signed him we had 82 points, with a lot of clean sheets, and that made a difference and gave the defenders massive confidence,” said Benitez. “He’s getting better each season.
“He has a very, very good mentality and is very positive.
“Diego Cavalieri is a good keeper, but Reina has a lot of confidence because he’s been here a long time.
His style of football is very good for any league, but especially the Premier League because you need to be physical.
“The ball’s in the air a lot. He’s good in his six-yard box but also outside it.
“I’d say he is the best goalkeeper in the Premier League and also in Spain.
“He’s very, very important for us, not just because he’s a good goalkeeper but also because of his mentality.”
Reina is likely to be handed a well-earned rest tomorrow when Liverpool begin their FA Cup campaign with a visit to Preston North End.
Cavalieri, who has appeared twice in the Carling Cup this season, is lined up to deputise against the Coca-Cola Championship outfit in the third round tie.
Reina is only seven shy of recording a century of clean sheets having already taken less time to reach 50 shut-outs than any keeper in the Anfield outfit’s history.
The 26-year-old has won the Premier League Golden Gloves award for the most clean sheets in all three previous seasons since his £6million arrival from Villarreal in 2005.
Reina and Chelsea’s Petr Cech have both kept 11 clean sheets this season, the highest figure in the top flight.
And Liverpool manager Benitez believes Reina has now surpassed Cech as the number one number one in English football.
“In the first year we signed him we had 82 points, with a lot of clean sheets, and that made a difference and gave the defenders massive confidence,” said Benitez. “He’s getting better each season.
“He has a very, very good mentality and is very positive.
“Diego Cavalieri is a good keeper, but Reina has a lot of confidence because he’s been here a long time.
His style of football is very good for any league, but especially the Premier League because you need to be physical.
“The ball’s in the air a lot. He’s good in his six-yard box but also outside it.
“I’d say he is the best goalkeeper in the Premier League and also in Spain.
“He’s very, very important for us, not just because he’s a good goalkeeper but also because of his mentality.”
Reina is likely to be handed a well-earned rest tomorrow when Liverpool begin their FA Cup campaign with a visit to Preston North End.
Cavalieri, who has appeared twice in the Carling Cup this season, is lined up to deputise against the Coca-Cola Championship outfit in the third round tie.
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