http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Pepe-Reina-c29672 revealed that he wanted to play as a goalkeeper since his childhood, after he drew inspiration from his father.
The Spanish International arrived at Anfield from Villarreal in July, 2005 under the supervision of former Reds boss, Rafa Benitez. Since then, he has gone on to represent the Merseyside club in 354 games in all competitions and kept 159 clean sheets during
this period. He holds the record to this date, for capping the maximum number of appearances by any Spanish player in the Premier League.
The 29-year old revealed that even though he used to play at different positions when he was a child, he quickly discovered his skill and potential as a goalkeeper, and was helped by his father in fulfilling his desire of pursuing a goalkeeping career.
Reina’s father, Miguel Reina was a goalkeeper himself and represented http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 and Atletico Madrid during his playing days.
The Reds shot stopper told the reporters, “I figured out pretty quickly that my best skills were in goal. My dad was obviously a goalkeeper in his career, but he never pushed me in any particular direction. But when it became clear that I wanted to be a
goalkeeper, he helped me.”
The Spaniard has remained a regular first choice keeper at Anfield since his arrival at the club. He played an important hand in Liverpool’s 2005 UEFA Super Cup triumph and in the same year, saved 3 out of the 4 penalties in the shoot-out against West Ham
United in FA Cup final, to help the Reds claim the English domestic cup.
When asked which was the best save that he had ever made in his career, Reina responded by recalling his last gasp effort against the Hammers in the FA Cup final, at the time when the score was even at 3-3.
He said, “The one in the last minute of the FA Cup final against West Ham, in terms of importance... Because it was the final minute we could have lost 4-3.”
So far, Reina has won 4 pieces of silverware with Liverpool during his 7-year stay at Merseyside.
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