Benitez delight at Reina deal

Reds shot-stopper agrees to new contract at Anfield

By James Riach   Last updated: 6th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Benitez delight at Reina deal

Reina: Set for new deal

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Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has expressed his delight that Pepe Reina has agreed to sign a new deal, and labelled him the best goalkeeper in the country.

The 27-year-old Spain international has agreed a contract extension at Anfield, after a number of Europe's top clubs had been sniffing around him.

Reina has been a mainstay in the Liverpool team since moving from Villarreal in 2005, having come through the ranks at Barcelona.

He has not yet put pen-to-paper on a new deal, but has committed himself to the club, much to the pleasure of his manager.

"We are really pleased because I remember at the beginning people said 'for

England, in the air, he is not the best'," said Benitez.

"He is the best in England, miles away from the others, and we are really pleased to keep him here for a long time.

"He is always organising the defenders and is more than a keeper.

"Sometimes the style of goalkeepers is for them to be really good in the six-yard box, Pepe is really good in the 18-yard box.

"When you talk about a goalkeeper in a top side he normally doesn't have much to do.

"To be involved in this game especially at the end and the save shows the level of the player.

"Pepe is a key player and it is 100% he will continue with us. Since he came from Villarreal always he has shown his character and his passion, his commitment with the club."

Reds midfielder Javier Mascherano is also expected to agree a new deal in the near future.