OPINION
While goalkeeper Pepe Reina returning to Liverpool would be like a real life fairytale happening, Jurgen Klopp must be the story’s villain and block his return.
Daily Mirror reported on Monday that the Reds were interested in signing the 35-year-old keeper in the summer, in order for him to be back-up to Loris Karius at the club.
Reina previously had a glorious nine-year spell at Anfield, making 395 appearances for the club in the process.
The 35-year-old consistently put in good performances for the Reds for many seasons, but when he departed permanently in 2014, it was the best decision made by all parties involved.
Reina was clearly putting his best days behind him and while he has succeeded at Napoli since, where he is currently at, the keeper is clearly not needed at Anfield.
The newspaper claimed that the veteran goalkeeper could help Karius’ development, but surely it’s better to have the back-up goalkeeper force Karius to improve by competing to be first-choice.
It doesn’t seem likely that Reina has the ability to be the keeper to really keep the 24-year-old Reds’ shot-stopper on his toes, and Klopp should look at signing someone other than the ageing keeper.
Therefore while Reina would be welcomed back to Anfield with open arms due to his first spell at the Reds, Klopp must be the villain of the piece and stop the goalkeeper’s return from happening.
