PEPE REINA is the “tower of strength” that has already prevented Liverpool’s season from heading into oblivion.
That’s the verdict of Alan Hansen, who believes the Spain international is now challenging Ray Clemence for the title of the club’s greatest-ever goalkeeper.
Liverpool entertain Manchester City on Saturday having suffered a run of just one win in nine games to slip to seventh in the Premier League standings.
Another defeat at the weekend would further compromise their hopes of a top-four finish, with their ambitions downscaled following a poor start to the campaign.
And Hansen – who played more than 600 games for Liverpool and gained 23 winners’ medals in a 14-year Anfield career – reckons it would have been even worse but for the presence of Reina.
“Pepe has been invaluable again this season, and, for me, should now be considered as one of the greatest goalkeepers Liverpool have had,” said Hansen.
“He’s right up there with Ray Clemence and it’s probably just as well because if we didn’t have a keeper as good as Reina, we could have been in serious trouble this season.
“Liverpool’s back four have struggled at times this season, but if you have a back four that’s struggling, with a dodgy keeper behind them, then it’s the end of the story.
“Our defence have struggled but Pepe has been a tower of strength. He’s been a model of consistency. Keepers like him are worth their weight in gold as they give the back four confidence.
“He has always been a good goalkeeper but if he had a weakness when he first came to Liverpool, it was when the ball was in the air, coming across him quickly.
“Initially he had one or two problems with those type of crosses but he has sorted it out and his judgement is now a lot better.
“In terms of every other quality you need to have as a keeper, Reina is right at the top of the tree. He is reliable, dependable and makes great saves.”
Liverpool are a point behind City having played a game more, and are three adrift of Tottenham Hotspur, who currently occupy the fourth and final Champions League qualification place.
Benitez’s side have played five of the six teams above them this season in all competitions and beaten only champions Manchester United, losing to Arsenal in the Carling Cup and Chelsea, Tottenham and Aston VIlla in the Premier League.
And Hansen believes the visit of Mark Hughes’s Eastlands outfit is a must-win for Liverpool to get their season back on track.
“The City game is massive because if you take our current Premier League position into account and the fact qualification for the Champions League knockout stages is out of our hands, it becomes absolutely imperative Liverpool win,” said the Scot. “We want to qualify for the Champions League next season by finishing in the top four and a win would keep the spirits of everyone connected with Liverpool up after such a bad run.
“The sooner we get out of that, the better for the manager, players and supporters. What Liverpool must do is ensure that it isn’t them who are in danger of slipping out of the top four if City do come good.
“But if Liverpool get everybody fit, I’m confident Rafa Benitez’s team are capable of showing what they’re all about.”
FOR Alan Hansen’s regular column, read this week’s official LFC Magazine.
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