Pepe Reina has told Liverpool to use their heroics in Europe to inspire them to the Premier League title.
Rafa Benitez’s side crashed out of the Champions League at Chelsea after an epic 4-4 draw saw them lose the tie 7-5 on aggregate.
But keeper Reina reckons the Kop boys must now turn their disappointment into a title charge for their boss and the fans.
Liverpool trail leaders Manchester United by a point with six games to go, although Sir Alex Ferguson’s side crucially have a game in hand.
The Reds are next in action in five days’ time when Arsenal visit Anfield, but Reina has told his team-mates they are still well and truly in the trophy hunt.
“We are still positive for the Premier League,” said a defiant Reina.
“There are six games remaining and we have to win them all. It’s in United’s hands. We must try to win them and wait.
“But we will never give up. We are Liverpool – that’s our character and the way we are.
“We will continue to fight until the end.”
Recalling the thrilling night at Stamford Bridge, Reina said: “We tried everything to turn it around, but in the end it was a pity.
“We are disappointed because we didn’t get through – but to be honest the lads are really proud of themselves.
“We have to be because we gave it our all, but we just couldn’t manage to do it.
“Whoever plays for Liverpool always plays with his heart and soul.
“All we could give was passion with commitment and effort.” Reina accepts being at fault for the own-goal which put Chelsea back in control in the quarter-final second leg.
The Spaniard was caught out in the 52nd minute by Didier Drogba’s faint touch on a Nicolas Anelka cross and fumbled the ball over the line to make the score 2-1 on the night.
“It was bad positioning by me,” he said. “I was too in the middle of the goal.
“I should have been closer to the near post. It was my mistake.
“I have to recognise it – that’s the life of a goalkeeper.”
Midfielder Xabi Alonso added: “It will be very difficult to win the league, but we have to have a go and try to win all our games.
“We keep fighting when in difficult situations. We showed that again.”
Rafa Benitez’s side crashed out of the Champions League at Chelsea after an epic 4-4 draw saw them lose the tie 7-5 on aggregate.
But keeper Reina reckons the Kop boys must now turn their disappointment into a title charge for their boss and the fans.
Liverpool trail leaders Manchester United by a point with six games to go, although Sir Alex Ferguson’s side crucially have a game in hand.
The Reds are next in action in five days’ time when Arsenal visit Anfield, but Reina has told his team-mates they are still well and truly in the trophy hunt.
“We are still positive for the Premier League,” said a defiant Reina.
“There are six games remaining and we have to win them all. It’s in United’s hands. We must try to win them and wait.
“But we will never give up. We are Liverpool – that’s our character and the way we are.
“We will continue to fight until the end.”
Recalling the thrilling night at Stamford Bridge, Reina said: “We tried everything to turn it around, but in the end it was a pity.
“We are disappointed because we didn’t get through – but to be honest the lads are really proud of themselves.
“We have to be because we gave it our all, but we just couldn’t manage to do it.
“Whoever plays for Liverpool always plays with his heart and soul.
“All we could give was passion with commitment and effort.” Reina accepts being at fault for the own-goal which put Chelsea back in control in the quarter-final second leg.
The Spaniard was caught out in the 52nd minute by Didier Drogba’s faint touch on a Nicolas Anelka cross and fumbled the ball over the line to make the score 2-1 on the night.
“It was bad positioning by me,” he said. “I was too in the middle of the goal.
“I should have been closer to the near post. It was my mistake.
“I have to recognise it – that’s the life of a goalkeeper.”
Midfielder Xabi Alonso added: “It will be very difficult to win the league, but we have to have a go and try to win all our games.
“We keep fighting when in difficult situations. We showed that again.”
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