Rodgers won´t sell Reina

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has dismissed claims he is set to sell goalkeeper Pepe Reina in the January transfer window.

Reina made a lacklustre start to the season with several error-prone displays before suffering a hamstring injury in October that saw him miss a month of action.

The Spain international has since been retained as first choice in the Reds’ line-up and Rodgers was stunned by speculation linking the Anfield giants with moves for potential replacements.

“I don’t like to talk about speculation as I know in my time at Liverpool the names we have been linked with has been incredible,” Rodgers said.

“But what is worth putting on record is that I’m not looking for another goalkeeper.

“We have been linked with lots of goalkeepers. I have two very good goalkeepers – Pepe Reina and Brad Jones, who is a very loyal and capable number two.

“Any areas we look to improve will be elsewhere.”

While acknowledging Reina has struggled with form in recent times, Rodgers expressed confidence that the 30-year-old could return to his best form.

“Pepe Reina is clearly our number one goalkeeper, one of the best goalkeepers in the league,” Rodgers said.

“He had a difficult couple of years but for me his best years are ahead of him and his commitment to the cause and what we are trying to achieve is 150%.

“Pepe has taken on board himself to do a lot of work to get in the best possible state he can be in physically and mentally and I am so happy with him.

“He is a great man and has been a wonderful player for me in this short period of time, on and off the field.

“I can see him starting to get back to the level he set here, which was a really high standard, and hopefully that continues.”

Reina joined Liverpool from Villarreal in 2005 and has made over 250 appearances for the club.