LFC SQUAD

JOSE REINA (25)
GOALKEEPER

José Manuel Reina Páez (born 31st August 1982 in Madrid), is commonly known as Pepe Reina (his preferred nickname), or José Reina. He is a Spanish goalkeeper.

He was signed by Liverpool from Villarreal in July 2005. He is a penalty-saving specialist, having saved seven from nine kicks faced at Villarreal in the 2004/2005 season. Reina has taken over as goalkeeper in the place of European Cup hero Jerzy Dudek, and is seen as one of the most promising young goalkeepers in European football.

Before moving to Villarreal, Reina made a total of 29 appearances for Barcelona from 2000 - 2002.

On 17th August 2005 Pepe Reina made his debut for Spain in a friendly match against Uruguay. Spain won 2-0.

On 3rd December 2005 he notched up his sixth consecutive clean sheet against Wigan in the Premiership. He now holds the club record for successive clean sheets in the Premiership era surpassing David James' five from the 1996/97 season.

On 28th December 2005, this incredible run of clean sheets ended when Everton's James Beattie headed past Reina into the Liverpool net in Liverpool's 3-1 win over their Merseyside rivals.

On 5th February 2006, Reina, having made a clumsy challenge on Eidur Gudjohnsen moments earlier, was controversially sent-off in Liverpool's 2-0 defeat to Chelsea and banned for three matches for pushing Arjen Robben, who fell down somewhat easily.

Honours

Villarreal

* 2003/04 UEFA Intertoto Cup
* 2004/05 UEFA Intertoto Cup

Liverpool

* 2005/06 European Super Cup


Last updated: March 9, 2006