Reina talks sense

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

José Reina has dismissed Liverpool's indifferent start to the season as an inevitable price of the ambitious approach that Rafael Benítez's team have adopted in the hope of winning the Premier League title.

 

The Liverpool goalkeeper, in keeping with all at Anfield, has been stung by the reaction to defeats against Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa and believes talk of the team failing to build on last season's runners-up spot is premature. Reina admits, however, that Liverpool are more liable to defeat this term having resolved to eradicate the 11 draws that cost them dear last season by taking greater risks during matches. But it is a strategy that will pay dividends, according to the Spain international.

 

"People say we have lost as many games this season as we did in the whole of last season but last season our biggest problem was drawing games," explained Reina. "Those draws meant that we could have drawn the two games we lost, went the season unbeaten in the league, but still not won it. I would rather have lost six of those 11 games and won the other five. Then we'd have finished level on points with United and maybe have won it on goal difference.

 

"People can point to defeats, but I feel it's draws that make it more difficult. One thing that became clear to everyone at the club before the season started was that we must take more risks if we want to win the league. Even if it means losing a few more games, particularly at home. In the short term, that may disappoint a few people, but in the long term it's better to cut out the draws. In a league where there is three points for a win, for teams trying to win the title, it's definitely draws that make it more difficult."

 

Reina admits Manchester United's title success last season, coming after an inauspicious start of their own, proves it is wrong to discount Liverpool's championship credentials on the basis of two defeats in the opening four league matches.

 

"It's not normal for Liverpool to open the season with two defeats from three games but if a team is going to suffer from bad form, it's better for it to be at the start of the season because there is a lot more time to recover. Many clubs have proven that over the years and gone on the achieve great things at the end of the campaign. I see this season as being the most competitive since I've been in England. Any one of five or six teams have a good chance."

 

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/se...-premier-league

Edited September 4, 2009 by Macca

[Magic8Ball]

José Reina has dismissed Liverpool's indifferent start to the season as an inevitable price of the ambitious approach that Rafael Benítez's team have adopted in the hope of winning the Premier League title.

 

The Liverpool goalkeeper, in keeping with all at Anfield, has been stung by the reaction to defeats against Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa and believes talk of the team failing to build on last season's runners-up spot is premature. Reina admits, however, that Liverpool are more liable to defeat this term having resolved to eradicate the 11 draws that cost them dear last season by taking greater risks during matches. But it is a strategy that will pay dividends, according to the Spain international.

 

"People say we have lost as many games this season as we did in the whole of last season but last season our biggest problem was drawing games," explained Reina. "Those draws meant that we could have drawn the two games we lost, went the season unbeaten in the league, but still not won it. I would rather have lost six of those 11 games and won the other five. Then we'd have finished level on points with United and maybe have won it on goal difference.

 

"People can point to defeats, but I feel it's draws that make it more difficult. One thing that became clear to everyone at the club before the season started was that we must take more risks if we want to win the league. Even if it means losing a few more games, particularly at home. In the short term, that may disappoint a few people, but in the long term it's better to cut out the draws. In a league where there is three points for a win, for teams trying to win the title, it's definitely draws that make it more difficult."

Reina admits Manchester United's title success last season, coming after an inauspicious start of their own, proves it is wrong to discount Liverpool's championship credentials on the basis of two defeats in the opening four league matches.

 

"It's not normal for Liverpool to open the season with two defeats from three games but if a team is going to suffer from bad form, it's better for it to be at the start of the season because there is a lot more time to recover. Many clubs have proven that over the years and gone on the achieve great things at the end of the campaign. I see this season as being the most competitive since I've been in England. Any one of five or six teams have a good chance."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/se...-premier-league

 

Don't tell Rafa that, he may change his " it's more important not to lose" philosophy...