Reina switches sights to ending the title drought

May 25 2007 by Nick Smith, Liverpool Daily Post

PEPE REINA is ready to put aside his quest to get a European Cup winners medal in his family by concentrating on picking up a Premiership one instead.

The Liverpool goalkeeper wanted to make amends for his father Manuel missing out on club football’s top title when, playing in goal for Atletico Madrid, he conceded a last-minute equaliser to Bayern Munich in the 1974 final.

The Germans won the replay to deny Reina senior his medal and his son suffered similar despair on Wednesday when Filippo Inzaghi beat him twice to seal the cup for AC Milan.

But the only goals the young Reina is keen to concentrate on now are for next season, and re-establishing Liverpool as the number one club in England for the first time since 1990 is his top priority.

“We’re going to try and win more trophies next season and the project is to be title contenders next season,” he said.

“Hopefully we can challenge United and Chelsea next season because 17, 18 years is too long, it’s not normal.

“It’s not acceptable for such a big club and top side as Liverpool to go that long without winning the championship.

“Our people deserve the trophy very soon and hopefully we’ll provide it next season.”

Reina, who is set to agree a new contract extension, can now only hope that his fellow Spaniard and manager Rafael Benitez is equipped to build the squad that can end Liverpool’s drought.

And in a nod to new owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks, something which has become a recurrent theme in the aftermath of defeat in Athens, he feels spending the sort of money that can bring in the necessary players to fulfil the ambition is essential.

“It’s going to be difficult because Chelsea’s money means they will always build great teams and United are only going to get better but we’ll try,” added Reina.