NOTHING CAN STOP US NOW
EXCLUSIVE Keeper tips Liverpool to win Premier League race Reina: We're better than rivals and will go all the way
John Cross 14/09/2007
Liverpool keeper Jose Reina last night promised they can stay top of the Premiership - after claiming they are in a different league to their title rivals.
Reina says Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal are no longer better than them and the Spanish stopper is convinced they can bring the title back to Anfield after an 18-year wait.
Liverpool have got off to a flying start with £2600million striker Fernando Torres in superb form ahead of tomorrow's trip to Portsmouth.
But Reina is convinced Liverpool can last the distance and finally win the title under Rafa Benitez after underachieving in the Premiership in his three years in charge.
Reina said: "The beginning of this season has been perfect, and it has been a dream start after the summer. There's a long way to go but we believe we can do it.
"We are top of the table and deserve to be there because you can no longer say that Manchester United, Chelsea or Arsenal are superior to us.
"Chelsea's draw with us was unjust and Manchester United have been inconsistent so far and rely very heavily on Cristiano Ronaldo.
"I don't think Arsenal will win it this season either so Liverpool can now win the title and I think our rivals fear us.
"Rafa Benitez is a big coach even if Jose Mourinho and Alex Ferguson get more space in the press.
"But that's not a problem because the papers have not been worried about us and that suits us fine.
"We are all very happy now because I think we are showing that we can win the title this season. It's not madness to think like this, but a reality.
"We have been without Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher who are such important players for us but we have won without them, even though we want to have them back as quickly as possible.
"In the past, injuries have affected us badly but this time we have a squad to last us until the end of the campaign. We believe in ourselves and we feel we have the strength, players and ability to complete the season.
"We believe we can win the Premiership title and other trophies this season because we have such strength."
Reina has also backed fellow Spaniard Torres to fire Liverpool by continuing his spectacular start to the season.
"Fernando Torres will be the biggest star of English football this season and his three goals in the Premiership so far show that he has adapted already," said Reina. "I have had a bet about how many goals Torres will score because I am convinced he will be the top scorer in the Premiership. He can help us do well in the Champions League as well and last season's defeat to AC Milan in the final is still in my head. Now we must fight to get into another Champions League Final and put that right."
Reina also revealed he turned down overtures from Spanish clubs to return home and is determined to stay at Liverpool. He has set himself a target of helping Liverpool having the meanest defence in the Premiership.
Reina added: "I desire to finish this season having conceded the fewest goals in the league.
"During the summer many clubs in Spain wanted me to return but I want to stay at Liverpool and win the Premiership title.
"It has been my dream to do that since I arrived in this country."
CLICKY
EXCLUSIVE Keeper tips Liverpool to win Premier League race Reina: We're better than rivals and will go all the way
John Cross 14/09/2007
Liverpool keeper Jose Reina last night promised they can stay top of the Premiership - after claiming they are in a different league to their title rivals.
Reina says Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal are no longer better than them and the Spanish stopper is convinced they can bring the title back to Anfield after an 18-year wait.
Liverpool have got off to a flying start with £2600million striker Fernando Torres in superb form ahead of tomorrow's trip to Portsmouth.
But Reina is convinced Liverpool can last the distance and finally win the title under Rafa Benitez after underachieving in the Premiership in his three years in charge.
Reina said: "The beginning of this season has been perfect, and it has been a dream start after the summer. There's a long way to go but we believe we can do it.
"We are top of the table and deserve to be there because you can no longer say that Manchester United, Chelsea or Arsenal are superior to us.
"Chelsea's draw with us was unjust and Manchester United have been inconsistent so far and rely very heavily on Cristiano Ronaldo.
"I don't think Arsenal will win it this season either so Liverpool can now win the title and I think our rivals fear us.
"Rafa Benitez is a big coach even if Jose Mourinho and Alex Ferguson get more space in the press.
"But that's not a problem because the papers have not been worried about us and that suits us fine.
"We are all very happy now because I think we are showing that we can win the title this season. It's not madness to think like this, but a reality.
"We have been without Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher who are such important players for us but we have won without them, even though we want to have them back as quickly as possible.
"In the past, injuries have affected us badly but this time we have a squad to last us until the end of the campaign. We believe in ourselves and we feel we have the strength, players and ability to complete the season.
"We believe we can win the Premiership title and other trophies this season because we have such strength."
Reina has also backed fellow Spaniard Torres to fire Liverpool by continuing his spectacular start to the season.
"Fernando Torres will be the biggest star of English football this season and his three goals in the Premiership so far show that he has adapted already," said Reina. "I have had a bet about how many goals Torres will score because I am convinced he will be the top scorer in the Premiership. He can help us do well in the Champions League as well and last season's defeat to AC Milan in the final is still in my head. Now we must fight to get into another Champions League Final and put that right."
Reina also revealed he turned down overtures from Spanish clubs to return home and is determined to stay at Liverpool. He has set himself a target of helping Liverpool having the meanest defence in the Premiership.
Reina added: "I desire to finish this season having conceded the fewest goals in the league.
"During the summer many clubs in Spain wanted me to return but I want to stay at Liverpool and win the Premiership title.
"It has been my dream to do that since I arrived in this country."
CLICKY
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