Football - Liverpool FC: LIVERPOOL legend Ian Rush is baffled by the omission of Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina from the PFA Barclays Premier League team of the season.
The Anfield shot-stopper has excelled during a difficult campaign and is on course to clinch the prestigious Golden Glove award for the fourth time. However, Birmingham City’s Joe Hart, who has been on a season-long loan from Manchester City, was named as the top-flight’s best No 1.
“Without doubt Pepe should have been in the team,” Rush said.
“Hart’s had a good season but when you watch Pepe Reina play you can see that he is an incredible stopper.
“I can’t understand how he doesn’t get a game for Spain. Casillas must be one hell of a goalkeeper to keep Reina out.
“He has been fantastic and has really grown in confidence over the years.
“He must have had three or four assists for some of our goals this season and that’s one of the main things I like about him. His distribution on the counter attack; it’s like having another outfield player.
“There are probably games where Liverpool have gone on to win and Torres or Gerrard have taken the credit, but there are five or six occasions that I can think of where he has made an important save to change a game in our favour.
“I can’t understand how he isn’t in the PFA team. When you look at Liverpool’s player of the year, he’s definitely in the top three, if not a worthy winner.”
Meanwhile, Manchester City have been left deeply frustrated at the goalkeeping wrangle that has prevented them recalling Hart from Birmingham to cover for the injured Shay Given.
The Premier League put a block on their hopes of bringing Hart back early and instead, Sunderland third-choice Marton Fulop will link up with the Eastlands outfit today.
