Reina pleased with Rodgers

Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina insists he is happy with the methods of manager Brendan Rodgers and that the pair have a good relationship.

Last Updated: 27/02/13 at 00:09 Post Comment

Jose Reina: Enjoys working with Brendan Rodgers

Jose Reina: Enjoys working with Brendan Rodgers

There has been speculation all season surrounding the Spain international's future at Anfield with Arsenal and Barcelona continually linked with the 30-year-old.

Rodgers has maintained throughout Reina is his first choice, even launching a staunch defence of the Spaniard when he was out injured for a month in October and questions about his form were raised.

The goalkeeper, now in his eighth season with the Reds, has in the last couple of years fallen short of the high standards he sets himself but stressed that was not due to the change in style Rodgers has introduced since replacing Kenny Dalglish last summer.

"I have a great relationship with him," said Reina.

"We have a lot of ideas in common and the way we see football is quite similar.

"Our understanding about tactics and feeling for football is very similar. I'm very happy with our manager.

"It's about learning and he's certainly making sure we learn every day in training about ways to win.

"That's important because at the end of the day, what you want to do is win.

"If you play good football, you'll definitely be closer to winning more games.

"That's where we are and my relationship with the manager is very good.

"If the players follow the philosophy we'll definitely become a great side - a difficult and strong side to beat and a competitive one."

Reina's distribution has been one of his stand-out qualities but he has had to adapt his methods slightly to fit in with Rodgers' possession-heavy football.

"There is no doubt that I am more involved with my feet than before, but so is the whole team," he told LFC TV.

"The amount of passes in every game is higher and higher compared to last season. It's a different style and I am happy with it."

That style has brought mixed results this season with the side struggling to find the necessary consistency.

The Reds are currently eighth in the table, 10 point adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea and a late charge for Champions League qualification looks highly improbable.

However, midfielder Jordan Henderson believes the positives from their last two games - even if one victory still resulted in their elimination from Europe on away goals - means they will not give up on the top four.

"We can take a lot out of the last two games," he told liverpoolfc.com.

"They were good performances and good results. Unfortunately we didn't end up qualifying for the next round of the Europa League but we gave it our best shot.

"We've got 11 games left and want to succeed in those games. We've done well of late - I think we've been playing some good stuff - we're still improving.

"[To qualify for the Champions League] would be a massive achievement.

"We'll give it our best shot. We know it will be difficult but we still believe we can do it.

"The coming games will be a good chance for us to showcase what we want to achieve."

Does that make Reina Chris 'Finchy' Finch, or Gareth in the relationship?
- hump3

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