Friday, January 02, 2009

Pepe Reina Says Liverpool Risk FA Cup Humiliation


Pepe Reina has warned his Liverpool team-mates they risk another FA Cup humiliation if they don't match Preston's passion.

The Reds have struggled against lower league opposition in the Cup and last season they were given scares by Luton and non-league Havant and Waterlooville.

They ignored those warnings and were embarrassed by Barnsley at Anfield when Brian Howard scored a late winner in front of a stunned Kop.

Boss Rafa Benitez has also lost to Burnley in the Cup and Reina claims Liverpool's attitude must be spot on at Deepdale tomorrow evening.

The Spaniard knows Alan Irvine's side will be fired up by their biggest crowd for 30 years of 24,000 and has told his teammates they must be prepared.

"It's always difficult to go and face a lower division side on their own ground," said the Reds keeper. "We know it will be difficult to play against them because they will be fighting with passion and honour.

"They want to beat us and produce a shock, but we must have the same mentality to win.

"I would love to play at the new Wembley. It's a great stadium and I want to play in a final there. I have great memories of winning the Cup in 2006."

Benitez could play into Preston's hands by fielding an understrength side, but Steven Gerrard is expected to start.

Reina is also likely to have the night off to give his Brazilian understudy Diego Cavalieri a rare outing. "I never want a rest," said the Spaniard. "But I understand Diego deserves a chance as well."

Liverpool make the short trip up the A59 as league leaders and Benitez insists no one is using the 'T' word at Anfield.

He was keen to quell any title talk and says the Reds still have much to do. "To be going into a new year at the top of the Premier League table is a just reward for all the hard work the players and staff have put in this season," said the Liverpool manager.

"It's great for the confidence of the players and for the supporters to see us at the top, but we know there is still a long way to go and that's why you won't hear anybody at Liverpool talking about winning the title.

"We've had a good first half to the season but that's all it is. If we can do the same over the rest of the campaign then we'll have a chance. But there are still lots of games to play and lots of points up for grabs before we can start talking about what the end of the season may bring."

Sean St Ledger has been taking tips from best mate Luke Steele on how to dump Liverpool out of the Cup.

Keeper Steele was the key man as Barnsley pulled off that amazing upset at Anfield last season.

And North End centre-back St Ledger has taken advice from his old Peterborough team-mate ahead of tomorrow's clash.

He said: "Luke's my best mate and last week he was telling me about what it was like at Anfield when they beat Liverpool last year.

"He said it was fantastic - when they started singing You'll Never Walk Alone he even found himself singing along to it!

"He was saying how good they are, even if it is basically a second string Liverpool put out. I don't want that to happen - I want them to play their best side."

But St Ledger admits they could be in for a busy afternoon if Liverpool repeat the form they showed in thrashing Newcastle 5-1 last weekend.

He said: "We were watching it on the bus to Barnsley, and when they got their third or fourth goal there was a stampede to get the remote control and switch it off.

"Their first-half performance was the best I've seen from anyone, ever. It was breathtaking."

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