Pepe: The kids will be alright

Pepe Reina has backed Liverpool's teen stars to handle the pressure of their first Merseyside derbies this weekend.

The Reds head to Goodison with the youngest average age of any team in this season's Barclays Premier League - 23.5.

Three regular starters have been 19-year-old Andre Wisdom, 17-year-old Raheem Sterling and 18-year-old Suso.

Reina has no doubt they will relish performing within one of football's most intense atmospheres.

"I'd tell them to just play as they are doing right now," said the Spanish goalkeeper.

"The test for them was Stoke at home. It was quite a physical game and they coped well. A derby? [Because they have come through the Academy] They know what it means for the club and for the supporters to win this game, and they will be very up for it.

"They will handle the pressure, I have no doubt. They will cope with it well, they will be aggressive. They are ready for this game and if not we're right behind them to get them on track."

Reina's first derby came at Goodison in December 2005, with the visitors prevailing thanks to goals from Djibril Cisse, Steven Gerrard and Peter Crouch.

From that moment he was aware how big the contests were for a city where football means so much, but one particular absentee from the Everton teamsheet this time around will give the derby a different feel for our 30-year-old custodian.

"It is a different game, we all know that," he said. "It's always three points, but for the supporters and for ourselves, for the city itself, it's a massive game.

"You pick it up from your first derby - after that you know how big it is for the city, for the Liverpool fans and for the Everton fans.

"To beat them, especially at Goodison, is always one of the biggest achievements you can have as a Liverpool player.

"It is a close crowd and they are very noisy, but hopefully we will keep them quiet. It's always nice to play at Goodison. They're rocking and they support their team very well.

"I have many friends who are Everton fans, but they respect you.

"When Mikel (Arteta) was here it meant a lot to us. Three or four days before a game we wouldn't speak to each other. It's going to be a bit different this year because I don't have any friends there now."

It was during his second year on Merseyside that Reina made a mistake to aid an Andy Johnson goal as Liverpool were beaten 3-0 across Stanley Park.

For the most part, his Goodison memories since then have been pleasant, with four victories in the last five visits.

"It was a silly mistake," said Reina. "We were already 2-0 down and the team lost 3-0, with me having a bad mistake.

"It was bad at the time, but we've won many more games than we've lost there (since I came) and I'm happy for that.

"Those moments always make you stronger. You have to try to learn from your mistakes. We always say that, but it's a fact.

"That day is no different, and I will get the ball over the crossbar next time, that's for sure."