Rafa hails 'fantastic leader' Pepe

RAFA BENITEZ today hailed the leadership qualities that have made Pepe Reina Liverpool's player of the season - and urged his squad to follow the goalkeeper's lead.

The Reds' boss is still smarting after Monday night's hugely dispiriting performance at Wigan Athletic and spent yesterday conducting a post-mortem into why things went so badly askew at the DW Stadium.

Few players emerged from the 1-0 defeat with any credit but one man whose reputation remained intact - as has been the case all year - was Reina, who was powerless to prevent Hugo Rodallega scoring the decisive goal for the Latics.

Reina's decision to commit himself to a new, long-term contract last week was one of the best pieces of news Liverpudlians have received recently and Benitez has been impressed with the way the Spaniard has grown during his time at the club.

"Pepe is the man closest to the fans on the pitch," said Benitez. "He listens to what they are saying and he knows what they are thinking and you can see the passion he has in the way he plays and the way he directs things.

"He is a fantastic character and he is proud to be here. He has a strong mentality and you can see that in the way he is in the dressing room and around the training ground. He is someone who always wants the best for this team.

"I think he has been playing really well and we are pleased with him. He is a top goalkeeper and has broken a lot of records since we signed him from Villarreal. We are delighted he is with us."

Having played in every minute of every Premier League game this season, Reina has kept 12 clean sheets and, with Chelsea's Petr Cech still injured, he is on course to win his fourth Golden Gloves title.

Yet Benitez - whose decision to invest £6m on Reina in July 2005 ranks as one of his best pieces of business for the club - still believes the 27-year-old has plenty of scope for improvement.

"Pepe will continue to get better," said Benitez. "When you talk about goalkeepers who play for top teams, they don't tend to have that much to do during games.

"What sets them apart is being able to make important saves after they have not been busy and we have seen Pepe do that lots of times."

Liverpool are due to fly out to France tonight for the first-leg of their round of 16 Europa League clash with Lille but Benitez has yet to decide the identity of his starting line-up.

Glen Johnson could make his first start since December 29 after getting a run out during the second half at Wigan but nothing has been decided yet.

He will at least have to make one change, though, as Maxi Rodriguez is ineligible and he will remain on Merseyside.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.