L4L Player of the Season Contender – Pepe Reina

AS some may be aware I have been looking to review individuals in our squad on the season past.

I started with Henderson, Carroll and Adam, before focusing on the 5 players on the L4L site shortlist in the player of the season voting, and to date have done Skrtel and Agger so please go and check them out (see links below).

Next up is the man who is without doubt the life and soul of the Liverpool dressing room, one of the best in the world in his position and unquestionably top of the list of players you want on a night out, Mr Pepe Reina.

The Spaniard has been one of the best bits of business Liverpool have done in modern times and is the best between the sticks since Grobbelaar in the 80’s. There have been keepers in the intervening years that have certainly been of a decent standard without ever really sealing that position beyond doubt. The likes of David James and Jerzy Dudek on their day were world-beaters, the Shevchenko double save anyone? Instead both while fondly remembered will forever be associated with the knack of having those moments in a game, for James read Cantona’s goal at Wembley in the cup final and for Dudek read the Forlan (at that point couldn’t hit a cows behind with a banjo) double at Anfield.

Now before I get battered for blindly following Pepe or somehow being too defensive of the current squad (has happened!) I know he has made errors in his time at Anfield, but tell me which keeper has never made an error? Some of the best of the modern era will have nightmares of certain incidents, Seaman (behave kids) breaks down whenever anyone mentions Nayim or Ronaldinho for example. The problem with goalkeepers is that they are 99% of the time the last line of defence and therefore any mistake usually results in a goal. The difference between goalkeepers is that there are those who, for all their qualities, create that nagging suspicion in the back of your mind that they will drop a howler any moment, and then there are those who simply reassure you with their mere presence on the field and personally I class Pepe in the latter.

I know there have been a number of dissenting voices against Reina this year and if I’m being honest, as I’m sure the man himself would admit, this season hasn’t perhaps been one of his best, but simply to categorise him as being past it or not good enough anymore is quite frankly absurd. I have also heard calls that perhaps he needs to be challenged more by a second keeper than perhaps the likes of Doni, Jones and Cavalieri have in recent years which again I think is a ridiculous notion. To suggest that the form of our Spanish number 1 has dipped because he has in some way become complacent in any way is an insult. I don’t believe that having two goalkeepers of a similar stature vying for the number 1 spot as being constructive; in fact I believe it is rather counter-productive.

United have seen this year that a power battle between De Gea and Lindegaard may have cost them the title. More so than any other position on the pitch, a goalkeeper is someone you need to identify as your number 1 and stick with. Confidence is a fragile beast seriously hampered by a lack of patience. The role of a number 2 goalkeeper is just as unusual, it is suitable for those keepers nearing the end of their career, those at the very beginning or those that are able to recognise and accept that when the guy above them is fit and available he will be number 1 choice again. If you don’t believe me then look at the combined number of appearances Doni, Jones and Cavalieri have had! I would say throw in those of Itandje as well but I don’t really want to talk about him!
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Through his own words Pepe has stated that he is very much a confidence player and a rocky start to his Anfield career was as a result of confidence issues. So it is fair to state that the way the whole team was playing towards the end of the season will have had an impact on him, so to judge him and call for his head without taking into account the specific circumstances surrounding what was happening is…is…is quite frankly seems par for the course nowadays and is a very sad state of affairs.

There is a reason why Pepe won the golden glove in the Premier League for his first 3 seasons and why he has broken numerous goalkeeping records at Anfield, and it is because he is that good. The art of a goalkeeper is as much about what you don’t do as what you actually do. It is clear to see that Reina has all the attributes of a top keeper as save after save after breathtaking save has shown, but it is in what he doesn’t do he excels. His organisation in his 18 yard box, and marshalling of the players in front of him have meant that seasons go by with Liverpool right at the top of the fewest number of shots against league. As a result of his organisational skills as well as his shot stopping he has generated confidence throughout the rest of the team, and to have confidence in your team-mates, particularly the goalkeeper is crucial. Note the reaction and worries of players and fans when Pepe isn’t available. Doni and Jones are good keepers in their own right but a lack of Reina in the starting line up as we have seen this season, starts us all off with a negative mindset, which can lead to errors.

The way Pepe also differs from other keepers is the same reason why he is perfect for Liverpool and the Liverpool way. He is sublime with his feet. When we are in possession we effectively have 11 outfield players and can comfortably play keep ball as unlike others when, following a period of possession domination, the ball is played/forced back to the keeper he doesn’t simply punt it down field and hope, no he controls, looks up and seeks a pass therefore retaining possession and adding further pressure to the opposition. When he does play it long it is rarely hit and hope, his long balls have purpose and accuracy. Similarly his footballing mindset and ability to think on his feet has started countless numbers of LFC counter-attacks at pace, by being able to distribute the ball quickly and effectively. This aspect of his game has been a constant this year, and a clear underlining of his importance to the side.

There are too many aspects of his game to simply find a replacement and as discussed bringing in a direct rival would be counter-productive, LFC are best suited to continuing with Doni/Jones or placing faith in Gulasci and allowing Reina’s influence to rub off. Personally if I were the new manager I would be discussing with Reina who he would want as GK coach and then move heaven and earth to bring them in.

Pepe, without doubt, is cemented as my number 1. Despite some out of character errors on his part during the season the only keeper I would rate higher than him in the league is Joe Hart. Many forget about the impact he brings off the field of play and how crucial that is. Successful teams, no matter what level they find themselves out, have one thing in common, a galvanised dressing room, a team that will enter the field of play and battle for one another. Perhaps there is no better example of this than the Crazy Gang and their rise to the top division and (through gritted teeth) FA Cup glory, a feat we will never see again.

Anybody who doubts what Pepe can bring to the dressing room please go away and log in to Youtube to see the Spanish national side celebrate both the European Championship and World Cup successes. Pepe is a dressing room leader, the kind of individual whose personality is both infectious and charismatic. To me Pepe is up there with the best in the world and the kind of player and character Liverpool demands.

If you haven’t already, please come find me on twitter @timdibs

Other L4L Player of the Year Contenders: Luis Suarez, Martin Skrtel, Daniel Agger, Jose Enrique,

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