Pepe Reina believes the progress Liverpool have made means they can again entertain ambitions of challenging for the title.
Liverpool goalkeeper sets sights high after recent rise
Pepe Reina believes the progress Liverpool have made over the last 12 months means they can again entertain ambitions of challenging for the Premier League title.
A year ago that would have been an unthinkable prospect at Anfield as, at this stage of the season, there was more concern over keeping themselves out of the relegation zone.
The takeover by Fenway Sports Group in October 2010 had rescued the club from the difficult reign of Tom Hicks and George Gillett but the new American owners had not had any time to make an impact.
On the field, the Reds were struggling under Roy Hodgson as, having already dropped into the bottom three once, they had just 12 points from 10 matches and were 16th in the table.
That form ultimately cost Hodgson his job in January but the return for a second spell as boss of Kenny Dalglish, coupled with considerable transfer funds from FSG, has revitalised the club.
Competitive
They are eight points and 10 places better off and with the whole atmosphere transformed, Reina believes the squad can start to work to fulfil their aspiration of bringing the title back to Anfield for the first time since 1990, coincidentally under Dalglish's leadership first time around.
"We are a much better team than last season," said the Spain international.
"We have strength in the team and the squad and it has become competitive right now.
"It is just the first step we have to take in a long-term project.
"Things are improving but we want to be even better and at some point be champions of the Premier League again."
