Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Reina Looks To The Future

Jose Reina believes Liverpool must hit the ground running next season if they are to re-establish their top-four status in the Premier League.

The Reds are likely to miss out on UEFA Champions League qualification for the second season running after suffering a disastrous first half to the campaign.

Kenny Dalglish's return as manager has somewhat steadied the ship, however, with the Scot guiding the side to wins over Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City.

Sunday's draw at Arsenal also provided a creditable result, but Reina believes they must rediscover their knack for beating teams further down the table.

"We cannot just perform against the top sides because a season is 10 months long," he told the club's official website.

"If we get the balance right, we'll be a lot, lot closer to where we want to be," added the Spaniard, whose team has lost to Blackpool, West Ham and West Brom under Dalglish.

"We started this season and the last one not the best. Next time, we need to make sure that doesn't happen.

"We need to be consistent with the aggression, commitment - everything.

"We have improved since Kenny became manager. We have beaten the big teams. But it is important as players to repeat that in every game."

Reina believes the word 'legend' is used all too often but insists that is not the case for Dalglish, whose man-management skills he rates highly.

"He's a legend in Liverpool - and I mean a legend because sometimes that word is used too much for other people," he said.

"Kenny knows exactly what the people (of the city) think and what the supporters want to see.

"Because he was a great player himself, he understands the point of view of a player and that means he knows how to set standards and what is acceptable.

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