Benitez Posted May 12, 2006 Posted May 12, 2006 On the eve of the Cup final, Pepe Reina takes us inside the Liverpool dressing room to spill the secrets on his Anfield team-mates. Jose Reina: I try to be funny because I think that creates a good atmosphere in the dressing room. The most important thing I think I can contribute is that I am a hard worker on the pitch, but being funny off it makes for a comfortable atmosphere and helps build the team spirit. Jerzy Dudek: We are similar. He has been through some hard times in the past few months, but he keeps working. He is very experienced and has done very well. We are good friends, and he is so experienced that I can learn from him all the time. Over the last few years he's been one of the best goalkeepers in Europe. Scott Carson: Scott is young and very funny. He is the funniest man in the dressing room and the most hard working in the team as well. We make jokes together, laugh all the time, but we are always working. He is a special person and I have connected very well with him. We are good friends. Steve Finnan: Steve is a quiet person, but a good team-mate. He is a consistent player, has been a regular this season and shows a lot of calmness in his performances. He doesn't speak a lot, but is very nice with everybody and nobody thinks any less of him. He likes to do things his way and he does the right things all the time. Djimi Traore: Jimbo! He is the second biggest joker in the dressing room. He's a good friend and he works hard, which is good for us. His English accent makes me laugh ? it's very special and correct. It's the opposite of Carra (affects Scouse), but with Djimi's it's 'much better' (affects a deep booming voice). Jamie Carragher: Can I understand Carra? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. But on the pitch he is one of the most important central defenders in the world. We can communicate well on the pitch, and that has been improving all the time. He can understand me and I can understand him ? almost every time. Sami Hyypia: Steve Finnan, Crouchy and Sami are all similar on and off the pitch. Sami is the most professional person in the squad. He's quiet off the pitch and is always focused on training and games. With him in defence, I feel very sure because he has a lot of confidence and experience. Jan Kromkamp: I know him less than the others. He is quite a quiet and shy person, but he is doing well and improving all the time. He's more comfortable now than he was at Villarreal. We just need to give him a little bit more time. When we're on the coach he loves to talk on his phone ? he's always on the phone. Daniel Agger: I haven't really spent that much time with him. Daniel is not in the squad all the time, but he's young and a good player. He has plenty of time and he will only get better. When you're in his position, you're generally quiet. You arrive at a club and it takes time ? there's nothing unusual with that. Stephen Warnock: When Stephen and Scott Carson are together, it's a great time. They're always laughing and joking. I think he's the most committed tackler in the team ? he looks a bit crazy sometimes. He has broken bones in his legs a couple of times, but every tackle is still 100 per cent. Momo Sissoko: One of the most crucial players for us because of his power, his runs, his courage and his runs. He is one of the most complete players in the Liverpool team and he's very important to us. Off the pitch, he laughs and jokes all the time which is good for team spirit as well. Momo is a great friend, a great player and a great person too. I have dinner with him sometimes. I also have dinner with some of the Spanish players. We have some meals together as a team but I spend most of my spare time with Nando (Morientes) and all of the Spanish players. Dietmar Hamann: Didi was one of the first people I spoke to when I came to Liverpool. He welcomed me to the team and he supported me a lot in the beginning. We try to speak in English, but he knows a few words in Spanish. Whether they are good or bad words is our secret, but you can imagine! Xabi Alonso: He's one of the best midfielders in the world. He's 40 years ahead of his time. He has great vision in every moment of every game. He is my favourite player at Liverpool right now. Off the pitch, I play tennis with him sometimes. He's very good ? I've only beaten him a couple of times. John Arne Riise: He was warm and welcoming to me from the start. That really helped me at the beginning and I am very thankful to him for that. As a player, he is very consistent. He uses his head and has plenty of power. He can play as a winger and as a left back. He has a lot of confidence and is a nice guy. Steven Gerrard: Our most important player. I think he and Xabi are the best midfield pairing in the Premiership. Technically, Steven is fantastic and he has the best shot I have ever seen. People follow his example to go for the win and to keep improving. The team follows him and every dressing room needs a player like that. Peter Crouch: He's big, he's red, he's funny. He's a great player and one of our most consistent this season. He's done really well and has offered another target for us this year. As a person, he's similar to Steve Finnan. I don't understand a word he says because he speaks too quickly but he's a funny guy. Harry Kewell: The Kangaroo! His game has been improving all season, which is good for him and good for us. You can see him growing as a player and if you saw him playing for Leeds then you'll know he can be incredible. I'm sure we can find the best Kewell again in the future and I think next year will be the year for Harry. Off the pitch, we have gone out for meals and I have enjoyed that. Harry has a strong accent too. Sometimes he speaks quickly, maybe it's the Australian accent, but I still understand him better than Carra or Stevie. Djibril Cisse: Djibril has lots of good qualities. He is the fastest and most athletic player I've ever seen, and probably the craziest as well. You can see him off the pitch with his cars and his clothes ? there is only one Djibril. He likes peculiar clothes, but I respect that. He has a very strong personality. Fernando Morientes: My best friend in the squad. He's like my brother ? we are very close. Luis, Momo, Nando and I live in the same street and spend a lot of time together. All you have to do is look at his trophies and medals to understand what kind of player he is ? one of the greatest strikers of the past few years. ere
Serko Posted May 12, 2006 Posted May 12, 2006 (edited) Garcia and Fowler to be sold oops just relaised they're not eligible for the final and thats why they're not there. I wouldn't have thought Carson would get a look in either though. Edited May 12, 2006 by Serko
Benitez Posted May 12, 2006 Author Posted May 12, 2006 Serko said: Garcia and Fowler to be sold Clue is in the title 'Cup Final' team mates
Benitez Posted May 12, 2006 Author Posted May 12, 2006 johngibo YPC said: that was in the semi final programme yes, and now it's on-line. Good eh.
Bailo Posted May 12, 2006 Posted May 12, 2006 Paul Caruso said: I'd love to see Xabi playing tennis.I'd be his ball boy.......
_00_deathscar Posted May 12, 2006 Posted May 12, 2006 Phorum Dunce said: I'd be his ball boy....... I'll be his physio...
smokescreen Posted May 12, 2006 Posted May 12, 2006 _00_deathscar said: I'll be his physio... Hands up whos gonna be his racket...
Bailo Posted May 12, 2006 Posted May 12, 2006 smokescreen said: Hands up whos gonna be his racket...Not me, but he could nibble on my banana during breaks if he'd like to....
cymrococh Posted May 12, 2006 Posted May 12, 2006 I'd be the person he thanks after he wins, but he wouldn't mention my name.
Bailo Posted May 12, 2006 Posted May 12, 2006 Paul Caruso said: I'd be the person he thanks after he wins, but he wouldn't mention my name.You'd just *know*?
Jeff guitar Posted May 12, 2006 Posted May 12, 2006 Before this turns into another :Alonsolovefest: This just came to me as i was trying to think of Reina's song. To the tune of Ultravox's Vienna no less. Our defence is so good he could sleep and still findIts another clean sheetand another clean sheetFor Reina Can't figure out if it's really good or just really really bad BTW what is Reina song?
boohog Posted May 12, 2006 Posted May 12, 2006 I wonder if Alonso knows that he has created a gay following amongst the (largely) straight Liverpool fan base?
cymrococh Posted May 12, 2006 Posted May 12, 2006 Jeff guitar said: BTW what is Reina song?Try to score a goal you won't get past pepe reinaPlays for Liverpooland he also plays for spain-a<insert 5th line here>HEEY Pepe Reina, AIY!
Jeff guitar Posted May 12, 2006 Posted May 12, 2006 Paul Caruso said: Try to score a goal you won't get past pepe reinaPlays for Liverpooland he also plays for spain-a<insert 5th line here>HEEY Pepe Reina, AIY! Aah, a cunning reworking of the Mcateer ditty. Ingenius.
fyds Posted May 12, 2006 Posted May 12, 2006 Quote Momo Sissoko: One of the most crucial players for us because of his power, his runs, his courage and his runs. Don't forget to mention his runs, Pepe! Is he being sold to the Spuds then?
Cobs Posted May 12, 2006 Posted May 12, 2006 Paul Caruso said: Try to score a goal you won't get past pepe reinaPlays for Liverpooland he also plays for spain-ahe's got a baldy head but you don't hear him complain-aHEEY Pepe Reina, AIY!
Coyler Posted May 12, 2006 Posted May 12, 2006 boohog said: I wonder if Alonso knows that he has created a gay following amongst the (largely) straight Liverpool fan base?Never mind that, is Pepé just after outing Sami and Crouchy :o? Benitez said: Steve Finnan: Nobody thinks any less of him. He likes to do things his way. Steve Finnan, Crouchy and Sami are all similar on and off the pitch. Go on the Pinkmen!
ManxRed Posted May 12, 2006 Posted May 12, 2006 Benitez said: Momo Sissoko: One of the most crucial players for us because of his power, his runs, his courage and his runs. Momo's off to Spurs then?
Earl Hafler Posted May 12, 2006 Posted May 12, 2006 Peter Crouch:He's big, he's red, he's funny. I think one of the major reasons for our improvement this season has been the relationship between defenders and Pepe. Carra especially seems to trust him more than he did Jerzy. Incredible when you think of the 3 keepers we have...all capable of playing in most top sides.
Cooldude Posted May 12, 2006 Posted May 12, 2006 Bulls***, Reina only keeps clean sheets coz the back four's so good...
£440,000 Posted May 12, 2006 Posted May 12, 2006 I love that Luis, Momo, Nando and Pepe live in the same street. Makes me think of the Beatles in "A Hard Day's Night" (hope I'm right there) but I should imagine it's a much nicer street.
Skillz Posted May 12, 2006 Posted May 12, 2006 (edited) Big Stuff said: I think one of the major reasons for our improvement this season has been the relationship between defenders and Pepe. Carra especially seems to trust him more than he did Jerzy. Incredible when you think of the 3 keepers we have...all capable of playing in most top sides. We have broken defensive records this year. We are currently on a club record 11 straight winning streak . Might aswell extend that at Cardiff, FA Cup. HARRY KEWELL!!!!!! Sorry got distracted there, GO REDS!!!!! YNWA 96!! LIVERPOOL 18-5-6(7?) Edited May 12, 2006 by Skillz
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