Liverpool FC Forum

[Badmao1]

I don't want Pepe to go anywhere, He has not been at his best for the last 18 months but he was superb for us for so long. It hasn't just been him that has under performed in those 18 monhts and when he gets back his form, the form he showed for his first five seasons then we will once again have one the world's best keepers.

[maypaxvobiscum]

Everton legend Neville Southall claims Reina's poor form has been a direct result of Rodgers' more patient approach. The Liverpool boss asks his players to retain possession of the ball, which hinders Reina's attacking instincts, according to Southall.

"Reina's never negative - he's always positive. At Swansea they didn't try and look forward first, they looked back, whereas in the past he had [Fernando] Torres and [Luis] Suarez who he could hit it [to] straight away early," Southall told Click Liverpool.

"Now they've gone, 'We don't need to do that, we'll play from the back'. So he's stifled him a little bit. I think that's why he's had a little bit of a problem because they've gone, 'You're really good at this, but we don't want you to do that'.

"I think that's really hard with being so positive and wanting to go forward all the time and start things, they're now saying, 'Throw it to the wide men'.

"It's just the way they play but I think it's really, really stifling him at the moment. But every time he makes a mistake he just gets his head down and carries on doing what he does and I think he's a terrific player.

"If you look at a goalie who made a couple of mistakes, he's made them in some of the biggest games and he still gets on with it. That's what I like about him, his mental attitude. He's going to make mistakes and probably at the moment there's a lot more consistent players. But in terms of being positive in his distribution, you can see his brain's working as soon as he gets the ball.

"At the moment, he's having to play it out from the back so he throws it wide, to the fullbacks. He doesn't want to do that really, he wants to go forward. I think it's quite difficult. He's now having to adjust and the players are now having to adjust."

[Kenny Kan]

Neville is missing the point if he thinks Reina's poor form is down to Rodgers' style. Reina's poor form is due to the fact he isn't doing or getting the basics of goalkeeping right; which is goalkeeping! If he's not flapping, he's getting beat at near posts or nutmeged. He's been diabolical in all honesty, Skertel is given a fair amount of stick when he makes a clanger but Reina IMO has cost us more points and goals (realistic goals he should be saving) than anyone else in the side.

[RUSHIE#9]

Just stick to your bin collection round Neville Lad!! 

[SouthCoastShankly]

Neville is missing the point if he thinks Reina's poor form is down to Rodgers' style. Reina's poor form is due to the fact he isn't doing or getting the basics of goalkeeping right; which is goalkeeping! If he's not flapping, he's getting beat at near posts or nutmeged. He's been diabolical in all honesty, Skertel is given a fair amount of stick when he makes a clanger but Reina IMO has cost us more points and goals (realistic goals he should be saving) than anyone else in the side.

Whilst I agree that Reina has not lived up to expectations, would you get rid?

I wouldn't. On form he is the best keeper in the league, I don't think you lose that. For me he need motivation and that is best delivered by providing a true challenge to his position - i.e. a decent second string keeper. Hasten to add not Brad Jones.

[Reg]

Everton v Liverpool: Brendan Rodgers set to axe fit-again Pepe Reina and stick with Brad Jones

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is ready to stick with Australian Brad Jones for the Merseyside derby, despite Spaniard Pepe Reina's recovery from a hamstring injury he picked up while on international duty.

11:30PM BST 27 Oct 2012
That would be a shock to Reina, who has been a permanent fixture since joining from Villarreal in 2005. Failure to dislodge Jones would ignite speculation about Reina’s long-term Liverpool future.

Rodgers is hoping to accelerate his overhaul of the squad by agreeing deals to sign Lewis Holtby and Theo Walcott in the transfer window, exploiting the fact that both players are in the final year of their contracts at their present clubs.

Holtby starred for Schalke in their 2-0 Champions League victory at Arsenal but has been scouted by Liverpool for some time. Schalke will demand a fee for the 22 year-old but Liverpool may instead attempt to persuade him to sign a pre-contract arrangement.

Walcott is out of contract next summer after failing to agree terms with Arsenal, and there are no new talks scheduled at present. While Liverpool are interested it’s thought he is reluctant to join a club outside the Champions League.

Liverpool also remain interested in Chelsea’s Daniel Sturridge but the chances of him leaving are dependent on a replacement being signed.

Rodgers has appealed for referee Andre Marriner to ensure “it’s a football game and not a rugby game” at Goodison Park.

“It’s important for the referees to stay calm,” Rodgers said. “I’ve seen it over the years, some of the tackles in these games are incredible.”

Meanwhile, Everton manager David Moyes has suggested that if he doesn’t sign a new contract before January – his current deal expires next summer – it “might become a bigger issue”.

However, he added: “I don’t feel any great need to do anything at this time. I’m sure it could be done quickly, (but) I don’t want any distractions.”
++

Its no great shock, most of us have witnessed his head go down since Rafa left.

The changing of the guard, the stalwarts from previous years, Gerrard, Carra and Reina and basically finished, they don't fit the new style. I hope he's able to recover but somehow I doubt it.

Great guy, love him.

[ycsatbjywtbiastkamb]

if reina doesnt get dropped now he never will, his form has been sketchy for a good while now and jones has come in and done well, infact he hasnt conceeded a goal in the two games reina has been out injured.
i think if rodgers drops jones for the derby then he sends the wrong signal to the squad, on the other hand by starting jones in the derby rodgers is sending out a message that players have got to earn their place in the team through performances not reputations.
jones could easily drop a clanger today and cost us the game, well if that happens then he`s out the side next week, but on the other hand if he has a stormer he`ll keep his place next week.
it`s a straightforward philosophy - if you play well you stay in the team.

[tubby]

Everton legend Neville Southall claims Reina's poor form has been a direct result of Rodgers' more patient approach. The Liverpool boss asks his players to retain possession of the ball, which hinders Reina's attacking instincts, according to Southall.

"Reina's never negative - he's always positive. At Swansea they didn't try and look forward first, they looked back, whereas in the past he had [Fernando] Torres and [Luis] Suarez who he could hit it [to] straight away early," Southall told Click Liverpool.

"Now they've gone, 'We don't need to do that, we'll play from the back'. So he's stifled him a little bit. I think that's why he's had a little bit of a problem because they've gone, 'You're really good at this, but we don't want you to do that'.

"I think that's really hard with being so positive and wanting to go forward all the time and start things, they're now saying, 'Throw it to the wide men'.

"It's just the way they play but I think it's really, really stifling him at the moment. But every time he makes a mistake he just gets his head down and carries on doing what he does and I think he's a terrific player.

"If you look at a goalie who made a couple of mistakes, he's made them in some of the biggest games and he still gets on with it. That's what I like about him, his mental attitude. He's going to make mistakes and probably at the moment there's a lot more consistent players. But in terms of being positive in his distribution, you can see his brain's working as soon as he gets the ball.

"At the moment, he's having to play it out from the back so he throws it wide, to the fullbacks. He doesn't want to do that really, he wants to go forward. I think it's quite difficult. He's now having to adjust and the players are now having to adjust."

So Reina's drop in form is down to him no longer being able to hoof it forward each time?  I've heard it all now.

TBF He needs a spell on the bench to get himself together.

[lakes10]

its well over due, well done rodgers

[SouthCoastShankly]

its well over due, well done rodgers

You really think Reina has been dropped??



He only started training again this week after a hamstring injury. Anyone who has had a hamstring injury will tell you it isn't an injury to take a chance on.

I have seen nothing to suggest that Jones will keep Reina out of the first team

[woof woof !]

If anything today's game has shown to me at least that Jones is no more than what I always thought he was, a "back up" keeper, half the time he's just looked lost.

[7_Kewell]

If anything today's game has shown to me at least that Jones is no more than what I always thought he was, a "back up" keeper, half the time he's just looked lost.

agreed.  Didn't command the box and cost us the first goal with a poor punch.  A timely reminder that, despite his iffy run of form, Reina is a quality keeper.

Don't blame Rodgers for resting him today with the injury...no point rushing him back from a hamstring problem

[Raoul]

If anything today's game has shown to me at least that Jones is no more than what I always thought he was, a "back up" keeper, half the time he's just looked lost.

agreed.  Didn't command the box and cost us the first goal with a poor punch.  A timely reminder that, despite his iffy run of form, Reina is a quality keeper.

Don't blame Rodgers for resting him today with the injury...no point rushing him back from a hamstring problem

Not only that, but Jones isn't comfortable passing short, he threw the ball out a few times, but hoofed it every other time. We never got our passing game going, and while that had a lot to do with Everton, Jones didn't help that in the end. Not complaining about him starting, I think Rodgers had to start Jones today, but I'll look forward to seeing Reina back next week.

[red till i die!!]

we really missed his distribution and composure today. jones isnt good enough to replace him because he lacks those qualities.

[JC_81]

Reina will be back in next game for sure.

Jones didn't have the greatest game today and flogged the first goal with a laughable attempted punch clearance.  He's abysmal on the deck too which will never suit the way we're trying to play it out from the back.  He was hoofing it today even when he didn't have to.  He's a decent back-up keeper but that's all he's ever going to be.