Winning World Cup no consolation says Pepe Reina

Pepe Reina has admitted that winning the World Cup would not make up for a disappointing season with Liverpool.

The Spanish number two will be called upon to deputise for Real Madrid's Iker Casillas in South Africa this summer, where the European champions are among the favourites to lift the World Cup.

However, after falling short in the League Cup, the FA Cup and the Champions League, Liverpool's early-season title ambitions have been reduced to a scrap for fourth place.

But Reina, who is set to put pen to paper on a new contract at Anfield, is hopeful of one day picking up a Premier League winners medal with Liverpool.

"It would be great to win the World Cup, but it definitely wouldn't make up for this season with Liverpool," said Reina.

"The World Cup is your national team and I want to achieve medals with my club too.

"To win a Premier League title with Liverpool would be amazing. Hopefully we can do that during my time here."

For now, the best Reina can hope for in the league is a fourth place finish.

Three points against Sunderland at Anfield on Sunday will help keep the pressure on fellow Champions League hopefuls Aston Villa, Manchester City and Tottenham.

Following a 14-game winless run in which Steve Bruce's side picked up just six points, the Black Cats have recently hit a rich vein of form.

Wins against Bolton and Birmingham have come either side of draws against Manchester City and most recently away at Aston Villa on Wednesday night.

Darren Bent has spearheaded Sunderland's revival with five goals in those four games, and Rafael Benitez is wary of the 20-goal England striker's threat this weekend.

"Bent is a good player," said the Liverpool manager.

"He's always thinking about scoring and it could be a problem for us. Twenty goals in the Premier League is a fantastic achievement.

"They have some other good players and they showed good team spirit in the game in October. I think they're improving a little bit now so it will be dangerous.

"They will be working hard, they'll try to be organised and push and press and play counter-attack. But playing at Anfield makes a big difference for us and we'll have to play well in front of our fans."

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