Pepe Reina ends speculation over his Liverpool future: I’m looking forward to next season under Kenny Dalglish

Pepe Reina ends speculation over his Liverpool future: I’m looking forward to next season under Kenny Dalglish

World Cup winner confirms that he is looking ahead to a positive campaign next season, but is first looking to help the club finish fifth and attain European football

By Adithya Ananth 13 May 2011 11:23:00

Teams Liverpool

Players José Reina Paez

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina has ended weeks of speculation over his future by confirming he has no plans to leave the club and is looking forward to next season under the management of Kenny Dalglish.

The Reds lost out on Champions League fooball last season, and the exit of manager Rafael Benitez followed by Spain international team-mate Fernando Torres only served to intensify speculation concerning the goalkeeper’s future.

The 28-year-old had previously been coy when asked whether he intended to ply his trade on Merseyside beyond the summer, amid links with moves to Arsenal and Manchester United.

But the recent rise in Liverpool’s form, coupled with the winter arrivals of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez, and Dalglish’s management have seen the Spaniard admit that he intends to remain at Anfield.

“I am looking forward to next season,” Reina told the club’s official website.

“We have had excellent news on Kenny’s contract [being made permanent, first-team coach] Steve Clarke’s and all of the technical staff. We are heading in the right direction and we are optimistic.

“I have always said [I am looking forward to next season]. Of course there was a bit of doubt back in December and January because we were not even close to where we are now.

“I think by making the right steps and taking them, we can all see the difference between now and then. That’s why we are now optimistic about the future and are looking forward.”

Dalglish was appointed as a caretaker until the end of the season after Roy Hodgson’s reign on Merseyside came to an end earlier on in the campaign. And since then, the Reds have been galvanised as they have displayed the best form in the Premier League, barring Chelsea.

The Scot was widely expected to be handed the job on a permanent basis, and the club have since revealed that he has signed a three-year contract and will remain at the helm next season.

“We all have smiles on our faces now and hopefully it will be for long,” said Reina. “Of course, we have to be calm because we know how hard it is to compete with the big teams out there.”

Liverpool are currently in fifth place, two points ahead of Tottenham Hotspur in sixth. And the two teams lock horns on Sunday in a direct battle for the fifth spot, which points towards a run in the Europa League next season.

“Fifth position is not the one that belongs to Liverpool – we aim higher and hopefully next season we can finish higher,” said the World Cup winner.

Reina added: “We are all looking forward to next season, but we have to finish the job on Sunday.

“By winning we will mathematically be sure of fifth and that is our target – to beat Tottenham, make sure we get into Europe for next season and then get some rest, which I think we deserve as well.”