Reina looks to oust Aussie Jones

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina wants the No.1 spot at Anfield back after returning from injury in Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Wigan.

The Reds’ defeat of the Latics was the Spaniard’s first start since suffering a hamstring injury in October, with second-choice keeper Brad Jones putting in a number of inspired performances in his absence.

And while the 30-year-old insisted the Australian’s form has impressed him, he has declared he is ready to win back his starting place at Anfield after a number of costly mistakes early on in the season.

“I have to prove every day to myself, not to anyone in particular. I want to give my best to the team,” he told reporters.

“I am happy with that. I will try to encourage myself to be a better keeper and that is what I am doing now.

“Brad has been excellent, very composed, and he has played very well so I was happy for him.”

Reina admitted he found it hard to be out of the team for so long, recalling his frustrating spell at La Liga giants Barcelona between 2000 and 2002 as a comparable experience.

He continued: “Obviously it has been the longest spell (out) since I was here.

“I was not playing at Barcelona because I wasn’t on the bench but being fit and available it has never been so long.

“It is always nice to get back in the team and it was worth it to wait longer so as not to have any problems with injury coming back.”