Reina targets clean sheets

Keeper aims to end goal-fest

Last updated: 23rd April 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Reina targets clean sheets

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Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina is targeting clean sheets as the Reds chase a first-ever Premier League title.

While the Reds have scored 27 times in their last eight games, they have also conceded 11 goals in their most recent four fixtures - the latest quartet in the breathtaking 4-4 draw with Arsenal on Tuesday.

Rafa Benitez's side are usually less generous in defence and Reina wants the Reds to get back to business as usual.

"We have never had a run like this - conceding 11 goals in four games," the 26-year-old told the club's official website. "We are scoring a lot of goals but we have to try and improve in defence.

"Scoring goals is the most difficult thing in football but now we must sort some of the problems we're having in defence.

Balance

"We've always had the balance between attack and defence. That's why we're always there in the Champions League and cup competitions, because we are a team with balance. We have to get back to this way."

While the 4-4 draw with Arsenal was great entertainment for the neutral, it was less so for Reina.

"For me and our defenders it was tough because we made a lot of mistakes and conceded four goals. It's always difficult when this happens," said the keeper.

"But anyway, we showed great spirit until the end and never gave up."

Manchester United beat Portsmouth 2-0 on Wednesday to pull three points clear at the top, having played a game less.

Hope

But Reina has not given up hope of catching the Red Devils, who still have to play Arsenal and Man City among their remaining fixtures.

Reina added: "We knew it would be difficult for United to drop points in two games, and now it's even harder because they have to lose those games.

"But we have to still believe and keep going until the end.

"It's not worth looking at the fixture list. All we can do is win our games, so we don't look at United's fixtures. We just have to do our job and win our five remaining games.

"This club has been many, many years without being in this position going into the last five games.

"To be involved at this stage is beautiful, but to win the league would be massive, so we have to give our all."