Rafa: 'Sweeper keeper' is top

Rafael Benitez has paid tribute to his 'sweeper keeper' Pepe Reina after he earned the Barclays Golden Gloves award for the fourth time in five years.

Our number 25 kept 17 clean sheets in the 2009-10 season, which tied him for first place with Chelsea's Petr Cech.

Benitez feels very fortunate to have Reina as his last line of defence.

"Reina is a fantastic keeper," the boss told LFC Weekly. "When we need him, he is there. It is well deserved.

"He has been fantastic, not only in terms of his performances this season, but also for three or four years in a row. Pepe is a keeper for a top side because he may not be involved in a game, but then he still makes great saves because he is always focused and concentrated. If there are one or two situations in a game, he is ready.

"He is a modern goalkeeper who can play outside of the box too. He is more of a sweeper than a keeper - but if you need him to be a keeper, he is one of the best."

Also in this week's LFC Weekly: The club begins its search for two more legends to join the official Hall of Fame, 15 stats to make Reds proud and the LFC Weekly season awards.

Video: Reina on winning LFC Player of the Season>>