Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina is the clear contender to be the Reds' player of the season, according to former Anfield defender Alan Hansen.
The ex-Reds skipper feels that few of Rafael Benitez's men have demonstrated such consistency and commitment as the Spanish keeper, who has been second to none at Anfield over the course of what has been a tricky campaign.
"Reina has been brilliant all season and is without a shadow of a doubt Liverpool's player of the year," Hansen told LFC Weekly.
"The great thing about him is his total and utter reliability. If you asked me what I'd want in a goalkeeper playing behind me at Liverpool, which would be what I'm looking for - total and utter reliability.
"Having a goalkeeper like Reina behind you gives the central defenders a huge amount of confidence.
"The ironic thing is that England haven't got a goalkeeper to take to the World Cup but Liverpool have got the best keeper in the Premier League and he can't get in the Spanish side. It's crazy."
Hansen has been impressed with the recent improvement in the defensive solidity of Benitez's team and now wants to see them begin to threaten more in attack.
"To have a goalkeeper of Reina's stature playing so well is absolutely fantastic for Liverpool and what we need now is to get it right at the other end of the pitch," the Scot added.
"It's all very well having a run where we are not conceding many goals, but we need to start scoring more if we are to get fourth place and qualify for the Champions League, starting at Wigan on Monday night."
The ex-Reds skipper feels that few of Rafael Benitez's men have demonstrated such consistency and commitment as the Spanish keeper, who has been second to none at Anfield over the course of what has been a tricky campaign.
"Reina has been brilliant all season and is without a shadow of a doubt Liverpool's player of the year," Hansen told LFC Weekly.
"The great thing about him is his total and utter reliability. If you asked me what I'd want in a goalkeeper playing behind me at Liverpool, which would be what I'm looking for - total and utter reliability.
"Having a goalkeeper like Reina behind you gives the central defenders a huge amount of confidence.
"The ironic thing is that England haven't got a goalkeeper to take to the World Cup but Liverpool have got the best keeper in the Premier League and he can't get in the Spanish side. It's crazy."
Hansen has been impressed with the recent improvement in the defensive solidity of Benitez's team and now wants to see them begin to threaten more in attack.
"To have a goalkeeper of Reina's stature playing so well is absolutely fantastic for Liverpool and what we need now is to get it right at the other end of the pitch," the Scot added.
"It's all very well having a run where we are not conceding many goals, but we need to start scoring more if we are to get fourth place and qualify for the Champions League, starting at Wigan on Monday night."
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