[lfc-news] Reina hoping to seal Anfield deal - Official Site

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Official LFC Website, 12 June 2005
REINA HOPING TO SEAL ANFIELD DEAL
By Paul Eaton

Villareal goalkeeper Jose Reina has admitted the prospect of playing for
the European champions represents an opportunity which is just too good
to turn down.

Rafael Benitez is reportedly closing in on the services of the Spanish
stopper, with the boss only having until July 6 to register new players
in time for the first qualifying round of the Champions League.

Reina has carved out a reputation as the best young goalkeeper in Spain
over recent seasons and he's ready to battle for his place at Anfield
having watched Jerzy Dudek's heroics in Istanbul.

He said: "To transfer to the champions of Europe, and furthermore to a
team with Liverpool's history, isn't something in everybody's reach.

"My answer was clear and it could only be a positive one."

He added: "I saw Dudek being very focused against Milan in the final,
especially in extra time and in the penalty shoot-out. He was physically
better than Dida at the time.

"They say I'm good when it comes to penalties, but it's only a matter of
intuition and watching a lot of football matches to see how opponents
take them.

"The key is luck and deciding which side to dive."

Benitez has confirmed Reina as one of his top summer targets.

He told the Spanish press: "We are looking at a series of goalkeepers,
and Reina is one of them. But the deal has still not been confirmed.

"There is lots of contact with several players in the Spanish league,
but not as much as the press have said."

He also admitted that UEFA's decision to force Liverpool into the first
qualifying round of the Champions League has "messed up" their
pre-season preparations.

The Reds are currently considering the implications of UEFA's decision,
with the scheduled tour of Japan clashing with the second round
qualifier in the Champions League.

It also means planned pre-season friendlies may need to be scrapped as
the Reds are forced into competitive action from the second week of July
onwards.

"It is common sense, the UEFA decision," Benitez said of his side's
return to the competition.

"But it does mess nearly everything up because we have given our players
holidays and now we have to play the qualifying rounds on the 12th or
13th, so we have to change nearly everything."

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