Liverpool legend Phil Neal won an astonishing 4 European Cups as a player at Anfield, and he played alongside some fantastic goalkeepers, including Ray Clemence and Bruce Grobbelaar. Clearly, he knows a good keeper when he sees one, and Pepe Reina is no exception.
Speaking on LFC TV, Neal paid a glowing tribute to Liverpool's shot-stopper:
"He's the best goalkeeper in the Premiership, and for Spain.
"I was at his book launch recently, and he's a gentleman through and through. He's a senior player, and he certainly has a massive influence [in the dressing room], and on what we can achieve with Kenny at the helm".
Is Reina really better than Victor Valdes and Iker Casillas? Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is another person who seems to think so:
"In my opinion Pepe Reina is one of, if not the, best keeper in the world. I know he doesn't get in his national side, but if it's my opinion you're asking for that would be my shout".
If Reina was the best in the world then he would be no 1 for Spain. He hasn't been consistently tested yet on the world stage, and until that happens, he cannot - IMO - be considered one of the world's best goalkeepers.
Jaimie Kanwar
Speaking on LFC TV, Neal paid a glowing tribute to Liverpool's shot-stopper:
"He's the best goalkeeper in the Premiership, and for Spain.
"I was at his book launch recently, and he's a gentleman through and through. He's a senior player, and he certainly has a massive influence [in the dressing room], and on what we can achieve with Kenny at the helm".
Is Reina really better than Victor Valdes and Iker Casillas? Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is another person who seems to think so:
"In my opinion Pepe Reina is one of, if not the, best keeper in the world. I know he doesn't get in his national side, but if it's my opinion you're asking for that would be my shout".
If Reina was the best in the world then he would be no 1 for Spain. He hasn't been consistently tested yet on the world stage, and until that happens, he cannot - IMO - be considered one of the world's best goalkeepers.
Jaimie Kanwar
RReina is a legend for us. he would get into any team in the world
ReplyDeleteaccept spain, dahhhhh
ReplyDeletethe author in his last sentance is correct, at this point he cannot be considered one of the best in the world because he doesnt play consistently for spain. But i will say this, remember when xabi alonso was at liverpool he was not always a starter for spain and he was just as good if not better for liverpool. spain clearly discriminate in selection and pick players that play in national league.
ReplyDeletewow i think you except, plus if you except spain then you also need to add real madrid as casillas also plays for them.
ReplyDeletePhil is correct, all three are in the same category, Clemence, Grobbelaar and Reina.
ReplyDeleteWould it not be hugely unfair on Reina to say he is not one of the best keepers in the world when not only does he have Madrid darling Iker Casillas in front of him who also happens to be captain of his national side? It's not a matter of ousting another player, he has to shift the leader of the best national side in the world. If we're being realistic, he would grace any other national sides number 1 jersey without doubt. And, in terms of not being challenged on the top scale... surely games against Real madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, City, Inter Milan, Lyon, Porto, AC Milan count as testing himself against the best (and AC Milan and Lyon being the only sides we haven't beaten of those in his time here). Given a chance I'm sure he could take the Spanish green jersey from Iker but we live in a world where that isn't going to happen until, probably, they're both about to retire. For now, I'm happy to say he's our best keeper in at least 20 years and has the chance to be our best ever. Some accomplishment.
ReplyDeleteWhere is the value of this article I wonder? Would anyone have expected Dalglish to say the Reina is one of the most cocked-up goalkeepers in the world?
ReplyDeleteReina is unfortunate because Casillas has been No1 for Spain for so long now and in goal-keeping terms, they are probably both equal performers for their clubs and are also of similar age.
ReplyDeleteBut as you need consistency, it makes sense to keep Casillas as the No1 and I can't see it changing unless he suffers a major injury.
Shame really as I am sure Reina would probably do quite well.
You forgot to mention Lucas ?????
ReplyDeletetbh I think his level of performance has slipped over the last couple of years too - fortunately he isn't made to pay too often for his dropped catches or flaps at the ball though.
ReplyDeleteHe's still quality, but just not been good enough to be considered the best in the league...
And Barca as Valdez plays for them.
ReplyDeleteYes everything sad, mean and bad happens to liverpool and its players.
ReplyDeleteReina better than valdez any day
ReplyDeleteI wouldnt say that torres was selected ahead of llorente and soldado
ReplyDeletemata selected ahead of navas
silva has almost been a regular starter for spain
Torres was selected ahead of llorente and soldado
ReplyDeletemata was selected ahead of navas
He isnt unfortunate if he really wanted to be spains number one goalie then he should work harder at his goals instead of settling for number two position. He has the talent to be better than casillas
ReplyDelete