LIVERPOOL’S king of the clean sheets

[Bender]

LIVERPOOL’S king of the clean sheets celebrated another defensive landmark today.

Pepe Reina’s fifth shut-out of the season equalled the club’s best defensive start to a season – set in 1977 – and the Reds keeper admitted the defensive resilience is sparking thoughts of a title challenge.

“To win away in these type of games permits you to fight for the title and be real contenders,” he said after Saturday’s 1-0 win at Wigan.

“But our mentality is to win game after game, not think about the target of the title. But, of course, it’s there in our minds.

“Our mentality should be to go week by week and win every game.”

Reina has still only been beaten from the penalty spot this season – in the Premier League and in Europe – but he insisted the credit should be shared around the team for their impressive defensive performances.

“We are very proud of that record, but we all defend together so it’s everyone’s record,” he explained.

“We have only conceded from penalties so far, which is important.

“It is something we can be proud of, but we must keep working in that way.“

The Reds’ back four has been more settled than other areas of the team, but Reina admits the defenders are as just as likely to be ‘rotated’.

“The defence has changed a lot as well as the other departments of the team,” he added. Steve Finnan and Arbeloa have played on the right, Riise, Arbeloa and Aurelio on the left, with Daniel and Sami in the centre. All of the players in our squad are good enough to play the same level and that’s important for us.

“We know that to win the most important thing is to keep clean sheets. Then we have possibilities to score with the quality of players we have here.”

[Parm]

Pepe is right up there with the best keepers in the world. He has improved so much from the player he was in 2005 and wouldnt even try to catch a cross. And to think he is only 24/25! he will be brillaint in years to come if he keeps on improving.

[AFII]

“We know that to win the most important thing is to keep clean sheets.

Can't agree with that.

The most important thing is to score goals, then you have a chance to win the game. If you keep a clean sheet then you still have to score at least a goal to win the game.

[Guest]

Can't agree with that.

The most important thing is to score goals, then you have a chance to win the game. If you keep a clean sheet then you still have to score at least a goal to win the game.

What if you score but still lose ??

By keeping a clean sheet, at least you won't lose.

[cobain]

The difference between Pepe and other goalkeepers is that he is fast as snake! His reflexes are probably the fastest in the world in my opinion and that's why I am SOOOOO glad he plays for us

And he's only 25 years old ... They say the best goalkeepers are around 30 and above ... Imagine Pepe at 30 with tons of experience. No player will beat him

[Dhav]

Can't agree with that.

The most important thing is to score goals, then you have a chance to win the game. If you keep a clean sheet then you still have to score at least a goal to win the game.

You've seen how difficult it has been in the past for us to recover after going a goal behind - we rarely win games from losing positions, hence why keeping clean sheets is crucial for us

What if you score but still lose ??

By keeping a clean sheet, at least you won't lose.

[AFII]

What if you score but still lose ??

By keeping a clean sheet, at least you won't lose.

and you may not win. A draw is only worth a point. You get as many points if you win one game and lose two as you get if you draw three.

Rafa plays it safe and that means that the clean sheet is most important. For Wenger scoring goals are more important.

You can see that from the way we and Arsenal play. Wenger Uses his second striker as a striker, Rafa uses him a workhorse that will defend a lot more than Arsenals second striker do.

Arsenal will probably win more games but also lose more. We will have to wait until the end of the season to see which option that is the best one.

[cobain]

and you may not win. A draw is only worth a point. You get as many points if you win one game and lose two as you get if you draw three.

I never thought of it that way before, but good point

[Guest]

The idea is not to concede and score goals. That is for every team. I don't feel it's different for Rafa's teams ... He's never played for a draw from the outset. Sometimes, like saturday, we aren't playing very well but still scrape wins. Manure are doing the same, as are Arsenal at the moment. The notion that we're a defensive team is just total bollocks.

[red g]

I would not take any keeper in the world over Reina. I believe he is the best all round keeper in the world.

[Pacman]

I would not take any keeper in the world over Reina. I believe he is the best all round keeper in the world.

[AFII]

I would not take any keeper in the world over Reina. I believe he is the best all round keeper in the world.

[Parm]

The idea is not to concede and score goals. That is for every team. I don't feel it's different for Rafa's teams ... He's never played for a draw from the outset. Sometimes, like saturday, we aren't playing very well but still scrape wins. Manure are doing the same, as are Arsenal at the moment. The notion that we're a defensive team is just total bollocks.

thank you

[GordonGecko]

I would not take any keeper in the world over Reina. I believe he is the best all round keeper in the world.

Errrr.....Adriano Basso anyone???

[cobain]

Errrr.....Adriano Basso anyone??? :handshake