Football - Liverpool FC: Rafael Benitez calls on players to sign up to new deals

Mar 18 2010 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

Football - Liverpool FC: RAFAEL BENITEZ has urged his Liverpool players to follow the example of Pepe Reina and pledge their long-term commitment to the club.

Reina confirmed yesterday he will sign a new lengthy contract in the next few months to replace his current deal that still has more than two years left to run.

The goalkeeper has reaffirmed his commitment despite the uncertainty behind the scenes at Anfield and the fact the team are in danger of missing out on Champions League qualification for next season.

Fernando Torres is the most notable player to have made public his frustration at Liverpool’s current plight.

But Benitez believes Reina’s team-mates should take note of the keeper’s loyalty and faith in the club.

“Pepe’s very happy, his family is very happy and he is settled,” said the Liverpool manager. “He’s a great character, loves the fans, they love him, so everything’s good for him.

“It is important to show that commitment and it’s an example for everyone. Maybe it will be an example for the rest of the players for the future. You can see every day how much he loves being here.”

Reina said: “We are close in the contract talks, though that is not really important. The only important thing is the team and the club, and the challenges we have over the next few months.

“But believe me I am going to stay here longer. I am really happy here, the club seems happy with me and it’s just about time now. I am sure it will all be sorted out in a couple of months, and you will find some more information in a month or so.”

Nevertheless, Reina has echoed Torres’s calls for significant investment in players to make the club title challengers again.

When asked how long it could be before Liverpool would have a realistic chance of winning the title, the Spain international said: “It is not a question I can answer.

“I can talk about the players but not the investment – that is not in our hands.

“But I hope we can compete with these kinds of transfers (by Manchester United and Chelsea) and spend some more money in the market, maybe go toe-to-toe with them.

“All I want and the team want is to be competitive as the others. There is nothing apart from winning the league with Liverpool once which makes me feel excited.

“That is a dream to get through and hopefully in a short period of time we will see it come true.”