LFC Celebrity Nursery Spot

[Leo No.8]

Went to pick the baby up from nursery this evening, she's playing with this little boy with dark hair who must be about 2-3 years old. I picked her up and gave her a kiss and that, noticed there was a big guy with a skinhead but no more than that.

 

Looked up from her at the big guy and its only Pepe Reina! Turns out his little lad goes to the same nursery and they are both in the toddler room, seemingly getting on very well. I congratulated him on his save last night which he smiled at and thanked me for.

 

Didn't get into a conversation as I didn't really want to mither him when he's picking his lad up, but I'm going to let the wife take a break from picking the baby up and gradually start getting a bit more friendly each time! Tell you what though, he's bloody enormous up close.

 

I'm a big lad, 6"2 and 15 stone but I felt small next to him - funny as he doesn't look that big on the pitch. He's built like a weightlifter and seemed a good couple of inches taller than me. I can see how he'd be an imposing physical presence on the pitch.

Edited March 19, 2010 by Leo No.8

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

Official stats say he's 6'3" don't they? And Dudek was bigger.

 

Anyway, he didn't save it, it hit him

[Davvo]

Went to pick the baby up from nursery this evening, she's playing with this little boy with dark hair who must be about 2-3 years old. I picked her up and gave her a kiss and that, noticed there was a big guy with a skinhead but no more than that.

 

Looked up from her at the big guy and its only Pepe Reina! Turns out his little lad goes to the same nursery and they are both in the toddler room, seemingly getting on very well. I congratulated him on his save last night which he smiled at and thanked me for.

 

Didn't get into a conversation as I didn't really want to mither him when he's picking his lad up, but I'm going to let the wife take a break from picking the baby up and gradually start getting a bit more friendly each time! Tell you what though, he's bloody enormous up close.

 

I'm a big lad, 6"2 and 15 stone but I felt small next to him - funny as he doesn't look that big on the pitch. He's built like a weightlifter and seemed a good couple of inches taller than me. I can see how he'd be an imposing physical presence on the pitch.

 

You get Pepe Reina, I get Darren Ferguson* . There's no justice in this world.

 

 

 

* I have not, as yet, punched his punchable face. For the sake of the kids obviously.

 

 

 

[David Hodgson]

You get Pepe Reina, I get Darren Ferguson* . There's no justice in this world.

 

 

 

* I have not, as yet, punched his punchable face. For the sake of the kids obviously.

 

I got Aurelio, Pellegrino and Kuyt at my school gate. Pellegrino let on to me in Tescos last week and I blanked him (only cos I wad distracted by the price of toilet rolls, but my missus said I should have said hello ).

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

I used to have Harvey Keitel at my daughter's nursery.....

 

Don't remember him playing for us though

[BG]

You get Pepe Reina, I get Darren Ferguson* . There's no justice in this world.

 

 

 

* I have not, as yet, punched his punchable face. For the sake of the kids obviously.

 

 

 

Obviously you should actually be punching him in the face for the kids' sake - set a good example of how to approach Mancs early on and they'll always remember it.

[MFletcher]

Obviously you should actually be punching him in the face for the kids' sake - set a good example of how to approach Mancs early on and they'll always remember it.

 

I think Stevie has that covered.

[David Hodgson]

I used to have Harvey Keitel at my daughter's nursery.....

 

Don't remember him playing for us though

 

you lyin' toerag.

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

He was, went to a 'potluck' dinner at someone's apartment one time & he was the first person i saw. He's a shriveled old man now though, not nearly as scary as you'd think.

 

The potluck also involved catering staff, when I was expecting carrots & dips

[Rory Fitzgerald]

Gary Kelly was on Irish telly last night at half time saying that Pepe Reina '...didnt know anything about the shot and luckily it hit him'.

 

I really couldnt let that slip and wrote out a text to the station saying that 'Pepe Reina doesnt drop to the ground like most keepers and its a decision he makes all the time to stay big that he confronts strikers standing up or marginally crouched, not like other keepers that drop to the ground'

 

However, I had to wait to send the text until they put their number up on the screen.

 

Get this, it comes up less than a minute before Torres's second goal. I send the text. Torres then nicks the ball over a floundering keeper.

 

I then cant resist the urge to text the show again and essentially say - '...See what I mean, Reina would have saved that but then again, he probably wouldnt have known anything about it'

Edited March 19, 2010 by Rory Fitzgerald

[Barnesy_10]

Went to pick the baby up from nursery this evening, she's playing with this little boy with dark hair who must be about 2-3 years old. I picked her up and gave her a kiss and that, noticed there was a big guy with a skinhead but no more than that.

 

Looked up from her at the big guy and its only Pepe Reina! Turns out his little lad goes to the same nursery and they are both in the toddler room, seemingly getting on very well. I congratulated him on his save last night which he smiled at and thanked me for.

 

Didn't get into a conversation as I didn't really want to mither him when he's picking his lad up, but I'm going to let the wife take a break from picking the baby up and gradually start getting a bit more friendly each time! Tell you what though, he's bloody enormous up close.

 

I'm a big lad, 6"2 and 15 stone but I felt small next to him - funny as he doesn't look that big on the pitch. He's built like a weightlifter and seemed a good couple of inches taller than me. I can see how he'd be an imposing physical presence on the pitch.

Hey Leo. My lad is in the same room as yours then. He only started this week and the missus has seen Pepe a couple of times in the room already... I am in work at that time, but am the one who drops him off in the mornings.

Yossi takes his kids there too.

[David Hodgson]

Hey Leo. My lad is in the same room as yours then. He only started this week and the missus has seen Pepe a couple of times in the room already... I am in work at that time, but am the one who drops him off in the mornings.

Yossi takes his kids there too.

 

Is it Monkton ?

[Leo No.8]

Hey Leo. My lad is in the same room as yours then. He only started this week and the missus has seen Pepe a couple of times in the room already... I am in work at that time, but am the one who drops him off in the mornings.

Yossi takes his kids there too.

 

Nice one mate, may see you there at some point then!

 

I saw a little dark haired kid with a Benayoun Liverpool shirt on when we first went for a look round last December so that must have been one of them. Its not Monkton DH (my nephew is in there) its a new modern nursery opposite Aigburth Cricket Club called Cressington Manor.

Edited March 20, 2010 by Leo No.8

[David Hodgson]

Nice one mate, may see you there at some point then!

 

I saw a little dark haired kid with a Benayoun Liverpool shirt on when we first went for a look round last December so that must have been one of them. Its not Monkton DH (my nephew is in there) its a new modern nursery opposite Aigburth Cricket Club called Cressington Manor.

Ah, I know where you mean. Just down the road from me.

[Bootser]

Gary Kelly was on Irish telly last night at half time saying that Pepe Reina '...didnt know anything about the shot and luckily it hit him'.

 

I really couldnt let that slip and wrote out a text to the station saying that 'Pepe Reina doesnt drop to the ground like most keepers and its a decision he makes all the time to stay big that he confronts strikers standing up or marginally crouched, not like other keepers that drop to the ground'

 

However, I had to wait to send the text until they put their number up on the screen.

 

Get this, it comes up less than a minute before Torres's second goal. I send the text. Torres then nicks the ball over a floundering keeper.

 

I then cant resist the urge to text the show again and essentially say - '...See what I mean, Reina would have saved that but then again, he probably wouldnt have known anything about it'

 

Like it.

 

L#8 - How's Portly this weather? I don't see him post here.

[Barnesy_10]

Nice one mate, may see you there at some point then!

 

I saw a little dark haired kid with a Benayoun Liverpool shirt on when we first went for a look round last December so that must have been one of them. Its not Monkton DH (my nephew is in there) its a new modern nursery opposite Aigburth Cricket Club called Cressington Manor.

We have only just moved to the area, before last week he was in one near aintree.... We were worried he wouldn't take to the new place, but he loves it... Been playing footy with other kids and cooking etc... It's walking distance from our house too which is great.

 

My wife was under the impression that Pepes kid was a girl?

[Leo No.8]

We have only just moved to the area, before last week he was in one near aintree.... We were worried he wouldn't take to the new place, but he loves it... Been playing footy with other kids and cooking etc... It's walking distance from our house too which is great.

 

My wife was under the impression that Pepes kid was a girl?

 

Yeah it seems excellent, pleased with it so far and my daughter has settled well. The former Manager of Monkton for years has just moved there as well and she's supposed to be really good.

 

To be honest my little girl was playing with a couple of other little ones, and Pepe's kid was the other side of me when I spoke to him so I didn't see properly - I might very well be mistaken on that as I was somewhat starstruck at the time! He's not just a Liverpool player, along with Torres he's my favourite Liverpool player!

 

Hope he does have a girl - they can be best mates!

 

PS Bootser Portly took the hump (with Will I think) and doesn't post on here anymore - he's on Six Crazy Minutes these days. He's well though, I'll tell him you asked after him.

Edited March 20, 2010 by Leo No.8

[Mike]

you'll like this then

 

THE question was straight and, given Liverpool’s travails on and off

the pitch this season, it was also fully justified. But there was

something about being asked if committing his long-term future to a

club which has been described as "a sinking ship" by one of his team

mates and which is in grave danger of veering off course altogether

represented a sacrifice that rubbed Jose Manuel Reina up the wrong way.

 

The Liverpool goalkeeper looked his inquisitor in the eye, his glare

reminiscent of the kind he would usually save for a defender who has

cost him a clean sheet with a last minute mistake and, after a

momentary pause to collect his thoughts, he answered.

 

“Why is it a sacrifice?” Reina responded. “It is not a sacrifice. I am

really proud and lucky to be here. It is about principles. I don't

know how to explain it really, but it is a feeling. I felt wanted from

the beginning here. It is not always about being competitive or to be

in the biggest club, but being at the right club. I think Liverpool is

the right club for me.

 

“I am happy here and I think the club is happy too. I have been

talking with my wife and we don't see any better place to go. It is

personal and professional, the education of my daughter, it is a bit

of everything. Listen, Liverpool is one of the best clubs in the

world. Whatever happens, whether we are in the Champions League or the

Europa League, it is still Liverpool no matter what. It will always be

like this. I see no reason to leave.”

 

Spoken like a true keeper of the faith, in every sense. It is little

wonder, therefore, that Reina is increasingly coming to be viewed as

not only one of the finest exponents of his trade but also as a

genuine leader of men, both by the Liverpool hierarchy and on the Kop.

As such, the new contract that he is set to sign, which will keep him

at Anfield up to 2016, is seen as a genuine cause for celebration,

particularly at a time when there are precious few positives to get

excited about.

 

The Liverpool supporters have already made their feelings known about Reina,

the club’s undoubted player of the year so far, with a flag

bearing the Spaniard’s image recently making his debut on the Kop.

Bearing the legend “No parasan” – they will not pass – it is a fitting

tribute to a player who is in the running for his fourth golden gloves

award, for the most Premier League clean sheets kept, in just five

seasons in English football.

 

The banner was commissioned and paid for by Dan Wakefield, a disabled

fan who thought it was high time that Reina’s devotion and commitment

to the Liverpool cause was richly deserving of such a tribute. The

gesture touched Reina, who readily admits to being humbled by it. “I

feel really proud and really lucky,” the 27-year-old said.

 

“It is always important to be loved by somebody and when there is a

flag with your face and your name or whatever and it is coming from

someone like it is always special. I am happy about that. I am always

grateful to the fans. When we reached the ground before the Tottenham

game recently and saw all of those people outside the ground waiting

for us, it was one of those moments when you realise how good and how

big and important this club is and how special the supporters are.”

 

Reina’s decision to stick with Liverpool at a time when the club’s

future is far from certain and its prospects are open to question should

not be mistaken for a lack of ambition. The need for improvements to

be made following the current campaign, which promised so much only to

deliver so little, is a regular topic of conversation in the Liverpool

dressing room, particularly following Fernando Torres’ recent

insistence that “four or five” top class signings must be made this

summer if progress is to be made.

 

“All of us want to play in the big competitions and aim to a maximum

level,” Reina said. “Fernando said the other day we have to learn from

our mistakes and try to improve the team as much as we can. In some

ways he is right. First we have to think about finishing as high as

possible this season and then sort out the problems for next season

for whatever competition we are involved in.

 

“It is understandable and all of us want to win trophies, but

sometimes it is not the case and because of that you cannot just throw

in the towel and leave. It has been a long wait without the Premier

League title for the fans and I would just love to be here if it

happens. For some of the lads it is normal for them to think are we

competitive enough? Are we under our level? Maybe there is another

place to go? But I don't think the majority of us are thinking that.

“There are no problems in the dressing room. It has been bad season in

terms of results, but there is another season and another one and we

have to be learning all the time from our mistakes and be competitive.

We are Liverpool and we have to be competitive again. It is one of

those seasons where things are bad and we have to sort it out and

start again. We have a base, a great spine of players, supporters who

are always behind us and a wonderful club so it is easy from our

position to react and sort the things out.”

 

The future of Torres’ is inextricably linked with the success, or lack of

it, of his current employers. Should Liverpool fail to achieve their minimum

requirement of finishing in the Premier League top four and once again offer the

forward the Champions League platform his talents so richly deserve

then it is inevitable that fears will rise that he could depart for a

club with more obvious chances of success. Reina, though, sees things

differently, even if he does recognise and identify with his close friend’s

desire to win trophies.

 

“Fernando and myself speak to each other of course,” Reina said. “We

are grateful for what the fans do for us, they are crazy for Fernando

and he feel the same way about them. If he is going to leave or not it

is not my concern or my decision. Hopefully not, he will stay with us

for a long period as well. I think Fernando is happy to stay longer.”

 

Liverpool’s top four credentials will again be put to the test on

Sunday when they make the short trip to Old Trafford to take on

Manchester United. It is a fixture which brings back the happiest of

memories for Reina, coming almost exactly a year after Benitez

masterminded a 4-1 victory over the eventual league champions.

 

That was the second of three successive wins Liverpool have enjoyed

over their great rivals but Reina is not expecting a similar result

this time around. Nor does he believe Liverpool should take any extra

incentive from the possibility of denting United’s latest title bid,

not even in the knowledge that Sir Alex Ferguson’s side only need one

more league championship success to end the Merseyside’s status as

English football’s most successful domestic club.

 

“It is always a different class of game,” Reina said. “You cannot

trust the statistics. At the end of the day it is one of the best

games in the world. It is always tough to be beat them and for them it

is tough to beat us. Anything can happen and at the moment they are

favourites because they are at home and fighting for the title, but it

won't be easy for them.

 

“I really doubt we will ever be able to repeat the week that we had at

this time last year. To beat Real Madrid 4-0 and then beat Manchester

United 4-1 at Old Trafford is going to be difficult to repeat. It is

disappointing what has happened since then. Manchester United are

fighting for the title and we are fighting for fourth place, but that

is how it is and we have to be positive. I am not trying to beat them

to stop them from winning the league, but to help us get fourth

place.”

 

But back, once more, to the original question. As one of the best

goalkeepers in the world, surely he could have his pick of clubs?

“It’s nice for people to say that,” Reina said. It's nice to hear, but

I am not thinking about leaving Liverpool at all.

[Leo No.8]

Ta for that Mike - and there you have it, the reason he's my favourite player alongside Torres.

 

World class ability and a heartfelt love and dedication to this club.

[Davvo]

Ta for that Mike - and there you have it, the reason he's my favourite player alongside Torres.

 

World class ability and a heartfelt love and dedication to this club.

 

Couldn't agree more. You hear lot's of players come out with all sorts of talk, at our club and others, but there's noone more genuine than Pepe.

[muleskinner]

you'll like this then

 

THE question was straight and, given Liverpool’s travails on and off

the pitch this season, it was also fully justified. But there was

something about being asked if committing his long-term future to a

club which has been described as "a sinking ship" by one of his team

mates and which is in grave danger of veering off course altogether

represented a sacrifice that rubbed Jose Manuel Reina up the wrong way.

 

The Liverpool goalkeeper looked his inquisitor in the eye, his glare

reminiscent of the kind he would usually save for a defender who has

cost him a clean sheet with a last minute mistake and, after a

momentary pause to collect his thoughts, he answered.

 

“Why is it a sacrifice?” Reina responded. “It is not a sacrifice. I am

really proud and lucky to be here. It is about principles. I don't

know how to explain it really, but it is a feeling. I felt wanted from

the beginning here. It is not always about being competitive or to be

in the biggest club, but being at the right club. I think Liverpool is

the right club for me.

 

“I am happy here and I think the club is happy too. I have been

talking with my wife and we don't see any better place to go. It is

personal and professional, the education of my daughter, it is a bit

of everything. Listen, Liverpool is one of the best clubs in the

world. Whatever happens, whether we are in the Champions League or the

Europa League, it is still Liverpool no matter what. It will always be

like this. I see no reason to leave.”

 

Spoken like a true keeper of the faith, in every sense. It is little

wonder, therefore, that Reina is increasingly coming to be viewed as

not only one of the finest exponents of his trade but also as a

genuine leader of men, both by the Liverpool hierarchy and on the Kop.

As such, the new contract that he is set to sign, which will keep him

at Anfield up to 2016, is seen as a genuine cause for celebration,

particularly at a time when there are precious few positives to get

excited about.

 

The Liverpool supporters have already made their feelings known about Reina,

the club’s undoubted player of the year so far, with a flag

bearing the Spaniard’s image recently making his debut on the Kop.

Bearing the legend “No parasan” – they will not pass – it is a fitting

tribute to a player who is in the running for his fourth golden gloves

award, for the most Premier League clean sheets kept, in just five

seasons in English football.

 

The banner was commissioned and paid for by Dan Wakefield, a disabled

fan who thought it was high time that Reina’s devotion and commitment

to the Liverpool cause was richly deserving of such a tribute. The

gesture touched Reina, who readily admits to being humbled by it. “I

feel really proud and really lucky,” the 27-year-old said.

 

“It is always important to be loved by somebody and when there is a

flag with your face and your name or whatever and it is coming from

someone like it is always special. I am happy about that. I am always

grateful to the fans. When we reached the ground before the Tottenham

game recently and saw all of those people outside the ground waiting

for us, it was one of those moments when you realise how good and how

big and important this club is and how special the supporters are.”

 

Reina’s decision to stick with Liverpool at a time when the club’s

future is far from certain and its prospects are open to question should

not be mistaken for a lack of ambition. The need for improvements to

be made following the current campaign, which promised so much only to

deliver so little, is a regular topic of conversation in the Liverpool

dressing room, particularly following Fernando Torres’ recent

insistence that “four or five” top class signings must be made this

summer if progress is to be made.

 

“All of us want to play in the big competitions and aim to a maximum

level,” Reina said. “Fernando said the other day we have to learn from

our mistakes and try to improve the team as much as we can. In some

ways he is right. First we have to think about finishing as high as

possible this season and then sort out the problems for next season

for whatever competition we are involved in.

 

“It is understandable and all of us want to win trophies, but

sometimes it is not the case and because of that you cannot just throw

in the towel and leave. It has been a long wait without the Premier

League title for the fans and I would just love to be here if it

happens. For some of the lads it is normal for them to think are we

competitive enough? Are we under our level? Maybe there is another

place to go? But I don't think the majority of us are thinking that.

“There are no problems in the dressing room. It has been bad season in

terms of results, but there is another season and another one and we

have to be learning all the time from our mistakes and be competitive.

We are Liverpool and we have to be competitive again. It is one of

those seasons where things are bad and we have to sort it out and

start again. We have a base, a great spine of players, supporters who

are always behind us and a wonderful club so it is easy from our

position to react and sort the things out.”

 

The future of Torres’ is inextricably linked with the success, or lack of

it, of his current employers. Should Liverpool fail to achieve their minimum

requirement of finishing in the Premier League top four and once again offer the

forward the Champions League platform his talents so richly deserve

then it is inevitable that fears will rise that he could depart for a

club with more obvious chances of success. Reina, though, sees things

differently, even if he does recognise and identify with his close friend’s

desire to win trophies.

 

“Fernando and myself speak to each other of course,” Reina said. “We

are grateful for what the fans do for us, they are crazy for Fernando

and he feel the same way about them. If he is going to leave or not it

is not my concern or my decision. Hopefully not, he will stay with us

for a long period as well. I think Fernando is happy to stay longer.”

 

Liverpool’s top four credentials will again be put to the test on

Sunday when they make the short trip to Old Trafford to take on

Manchester United. It is a fixture which brings back the happiest of

memories for Reina, coming almost exactly a year after Benitez

masterminded a 4-1 victory over the eventual league champions.

 

That was the second of three successive wins Liverpool have enjoyed

over their great rivals but Reina is not expecting a similar result

this time around. Nor does he believe Liverpool should take any extra

incentive from the possibility of denting United’s latest title bid,

not even in the knowledge that Sir Alex Ferguson’s side only need one

more league championship success to end the Merseyside’s status as

English football’s most successful domestic club.

 

“It is always a different class of game,” Reina said. “You cannot

trust the statistics. At the end of the day it is one of the best

games in the world. It is always tough to be beat them and for them it

is tough to beat us. Anything can happen and at the moment they are

favourites because they are at home and fighting for the title, but it

won't be easy for them.

 

“I really doubt we will ever be able to repeat the week that we had at

this time last year. To beat Real Madrid 4-0 and then beat Manchester

United 4-1 at Old Trafford is going to be difficult to repeat. It is

disappointing what has happened since then. Manchester United are

fighting for the title and we are fighting for fourth place, but that

is how it is and we have to be positive. I am not trying to beat them

to stop them from winning the league, but to help us get fourth

place.”

 

But back, once more, to the original question. As one of the best

goalkeepers in the world, surely he could have his pick of clubs?

“It’s nice for people to say that,” Reina said. It's nice to hear, but

I am not thinking about leaving Liverpool at all.

 

Swoon etc, I love that man, he is the best we have had in the nets in years, if not ever.

[Leo No.8]

Swoon etc, I love that man, he is the best we have had in the nets in years, if not ever.

 

Certainly the best in my lifetime (I'm 32). Think only Clemence could rival him all time but I'm too young to have seen him play or make a judgement against Pepe.

 

Perhaps some of the forum's elder statesmen have a view?

Edited March 20, 2010 by Leo No.8

[Earl Hafler]

I love him, too. I think he's our most important player.

[stressederic]

What is the golden gloves table looking like at the moment?

[Cheesecake]

What is the golden gloves table looking like at the moment?

 

details here

 

Clean Sheet Stats