Liverpool intend to reflect José Reina's status as one of the finest goalkeepers in the game with a lucrative new contract that will secure his long-term future at Anfield.
The 27-year-old still has three years remaining on a five-year contract extension he was awarded in 2007. However, in keeping with club policy not to allow key players to enter the final two years of their contracts, and having tied such players as Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Yossi Benayoun to new long-term deals over the summer, Reina is next in line for a contract offer.
Talks between Liverpool and Reina's representatives are expected to begin in the coming weeks with an agreement anticipated early next year. The Spain international has proven an outstanding purchase since he arrived from Villarreal for £6m in 2005, comfortably eclipsing both Ray Clemence and Bruce Grobbelaar's record of clean sheets for Liverpool (79 in his first 150 league games compared to 69 for both predecessors), and was linked with a return to his former club Barcelona this summer.
Rafael Benítez is keen to end any uncertainty over his compatriot's future and the Liverpool manager may also consider a contract offer for Fábio Aurélio, the Brazil defender who was this week included in his national squad for the forthcoming friendly with England and who is out of contract at the end of this season.
Reina, meanwhile, believes Sunday's 2-0 win over Manchester United could mark a watershed for Liverpool this season, with their prospects also helped by the most open title race he has encountered in five seasons in England.
"Against United we were the better team and we deserved that win so hopefully it can be a turning point for us and give us the confidence that we need to do better," the Liverpool keeper said. "We are a team with character. Sometimes we do not play well but the character is always there, mainly because of our fantastic supporters who are with us during every single second. We have been in a difficult situation and this meant that we had to show our character, which we did on Sunday.
"We are six points behind the leaders and it will be a long, long race. It will be tough for everybody. There aren't just four teams involved in the title race, there are at least six or seven in it, which is good for the competition."
The 27-year-old still has three years remaining on a five-year contract extension he was awarded in 2007. However, in keeping with club policy not to allow key players to enter the final two years of their contracts, and having tied such players as Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Yossi Benayoun to new long-term deals over the summer, Reina is next in line for a contract offer.
Talks between Liverpool and Reina's representatives are expected to begin in the coming weeks with an agreement anticipated early next year. The Spain international has proven an outstanding purchase since he arrived from Villarreal for £6m in 2005, comfortably eclipsing both Ray Clemence and Bruce Grobbelaar's record of clean sheets for Liverpool (79 in his first 150 league games compared to 69 for both predecessors), and was linked with a return to his former club Barcelona this summer.
Rafael Benítez is keen to end any uncertainty over his compatriot's future and the Liverpool manager may also consider a contract offer for Fábio Aurélio, the Brazil defender who was this week included in his national squad for the forthcoming friendly with England and who is out of contract at the end of this season.
Reina, meanwhile, believes Sunday's 2-0 win over Manchester United could mark a watershed for Liverpool this season, with their prospects also helped by the most open title race he has encountered in five seasons in England.
"Against United we were the better team and we deserved that win so hopefully it can be a turning point for us and give us the confidence that we need to do better," the Liverpool keeper said. "We are a team with character. Sometimes we do not play well but the character is always there, mainly because of our fantastic supporters who are with us during every single second. We have been in a difficult situation and this meant that we had to show our character, which we did on Sunday.
"We are six points behind the leaders and it will be a long, long race. It will be tough for everybody. There aren't just four teams involved in the title race, there are at least six or seven in it, which is good for the competition."
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