Reina denies Barcelona return

Pepe Reina has denied speculation he will return to Barcelona and has confirmed he would be open to extending his Liverpool contract.



Widespread reports have claimed that Reina is a target for Barcelona, if current No.1 Victor Valdes leaves the Spanish champions next summer.



However, Reina has stressed that he is happy at Anfield and has dismissed talk of a return to his first club as 'only rumours'.



"I have my own contract with Liverpool for three more years," said Reina. "Nothing has changed.





"If so, we want to make it bigger and my future is with Liverpool.



"Right now, about Barca, there are only rumours and only people talking about possibilities. There are no facts. I cannot talk further on that."



Valdes is currently expected to leave Barcelona in 2014 when his contract expires and Reina respects his fellow Spain international's position.



Reina added: "Victor has said he will not move from Barcelona and wants to fulfil his contract, and that must be respected."

Rodgers: Reina not for sale

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has denied Pepe Reina will leave the club at the end of the season.

The Liverpool goalkeeper has been linked with a move back to his native Spain in the summer but Rodgers insists he won't be sold.

"It's that silly season now that starts up all the rumours and whatnot but Pepe's not for sale," said Rodgers.

"He's got three years left on his contract here, he's happy and obviously there's speculation but it's not worth commenting on."

Reina has been linked with Barcelona - where he began his career - and Real Madrid.

The 30-year-old joined Liverpool in 2005 from Villarreal and has gone on to make nearly 400 appearances for the club.
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Rodgers quashes Reina talk

Brendan Rodgers has dismissed speculation linking Pepe Reina with a move away from Liverpool by insisting their relationship is strong.

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Reports have suggested that Reina could be a summer target for Barcelona, with Victor Valdes expected to leave after announcing that he does not intend to sign a new contract at Camp Nou.

However, Rodgers has stressed that Reina remains a key part of his plans for the future at Anfield, saying he has never had a problem with the 30-year-old.

"I think a lot of the stuff this year has just been based on the speculation that Valdes is going," said the Liverpool manager.

"I am counting on him for next season, yes. He's never been unsettled and our relationship is very strong.



"Pepe and I speak a lot. He's a good man and I've real respect for him."

Reina: 'I'm very happy with Rodgers'

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina has revealed that he has been impressed with the start of Brendan Rodgers as manager at Anfield.

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Reina has found himself in and out of the side this season due to injury, while also finding himself linked with a move away from the club.



However, the Spanish stopper has insisted that he has a good relationship with his boss, and that they share many similar ideas about football.



The 30-year-old told The Mirror: "My relationship with the manager is very good, I think we have got a lot of ideas in common. There is understanding about tactics, and the way we see football is quite similar.



"I'm very happy with our manager. He's making sure we are learning, every day, the way to win, and that's important.



"If we play good football, then we will be closer to winning games."



The former Villarreal goalkeeper has made 32 appearances for Liverpool this season

Reina: A move to Barca is out of my hands

Pepe Reina stated that he has no immediate desire to replace Barcelona goalkeeper, Victor Valdes when his contract expires in June 2014, and anything to the contrary is rumour.

In an interview with Spanish sports daily, AS, Reina responded to rumours that he is pushing for a move back to the Camp Nou and insists he is content at Anfield.



“[A move to Barcelona] is not in my hands and the rumour will keep increasing by the media. Barca are such a great club, but I'm happy at Liverpool.”



Reina went on to say that he maintains a good relationship with his former La Masia team-mate, but would not reveal any details behind his decision, even if he knew anything.



“He is a friend, I’m going to respect him in everything that he decides,” he said. “He will have his reasons. He’s not told me anything.”



The Spanish international was elated by his chance to start for the Spanish national team, with Real Madrid’s Iker Casillas still sidelined as he recovers from surgery and spoke about Casilla’s replacement with Los Blancos, Diego Lopez.



“Everything indicates that I will play, but I won’t change my attitude because Iker isn’t here. I’m always excited and prepared. Not everybody that is called up is lucky enough to play. Only 11 play, but being called up by your country is an honour.



“Diego is playing so well; he has been decisive in many games and he is a Real Madrid-quality goalkeeper, without doubt. But in the national team it is the manager that makes the decisions.”

Reina with his teammates at Euro 2012

Reina concluded that despite his reputation as a jokester, he takes his job very seriously, while still allowing himself to enjoy the good times at the appropriate moments.



“I’m not the showman. I’m an extrovert and joyful, and I have been lucky enough to be able to celebrate three great titles. I have been one of the most dedicated, but I am one of La Roja’s goalkeepers, not the showman.





“It’s not something that I prepare; I'm like that and whoever knows me knows that. But at the same time I don’t want people to prefer the funny Pepe Reina. I want them to value me as a sportsman.”

Reina: Board must back boss

Pepe Reina has called on Liverpool's board to bankroll the Brendan Rodgers' revolution during the close season.



Rodgers' blueprint for success at Anfield has shown thrilling glimpses of reaping reward in recent weeks, which have brought 12 goals across three straight wins.

And, despite an annual loss of £40.5m reported at the start of this month, Reina wants reinforcements to help with further progression.

The goalkeeper said: "This year has been important for us in terms of getting to know what the manager wants and develop the ideas.

"Then we have to be ready for the very first game of next season to challenge.

"Obviously we will need some help from the board but I think the basis is well settled. We know the ideas and philosophies of the manager. It is getting better and better so hopefully we will be ready to compete."

Another key objective for the Liverpool hierarchy is to keep Luis Suarez, who signed a new deal last summer and has scored 21 goals this season.

"Liverpool is very lucky to have Luis," Reina said. "Every day I am proud to

say that I share a dressing room with such a big player.



"He is 100% all the time. Obviously we will see what happens in the future. Everybody wants him to stay with the team."