Benitez points to the success of Manchester United in recent years as an example of how a goalkeeper can be crucial to any championship tilt.

“A goalkeeper can win you the title definitely,” said the Spaniard. “When you are attacking all the time, he might have one save to make and that can be the difference.

“The keeper is really a key player, think of Schmeichel and van der Sar last season for Manchester United.”

Reina was largely a spectator in Wednesday’s 4-0 drubbing of Stoke City, but was still called upon to make a smart save to keep out a deflected Rory Delap shot.

And Benitez added: “We have fantastic keepers in England but at a top side like Liverpool it is very, very difficult because normally they are not involved in the game too much.

“To see Pepe at this level from the beginning of the season is really good for us.

“He is a player who needs to be focused and concentrated because he has one or two saves to make in a game.

“He started very well against Tottenham and the other day the save from Delap against Stoke was fantastic and he dealt very well with the throw-ins.

“I think he was really good when we signed him but he now has more experience and knows exactly the style of English football. He is working hard with Xavi Valero (goalkeeping coach), he is more mature.

“He has the same qualities, but because he is more mature he is relaxed and he can make better decisions.”