Praise for record breaking Reina

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez today praised keeper Pepe Reina after the Spaniard recently broke a club record for most clean sheets during the first 100 games of a post-war Liverpool goalkeeper’s career.

The clean sheet during Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Wigan at Anfield meant Reina has kept 55 clean sheets in his first 100 games at the club.

Benitez signed Reina in the summer of 2005 and said today that the statistic proves Reina’s quality. “This shows how well Pepe has done to make 55 in 100 games in just two years. Our whole defence has been really good, not just Pepe, but it’s true he gives a lot of confidence to all the defenders because of his quality.”

“I saw the statistic about David James having about 142 clean sheets in over 400 games over 12 years.”

The previous record was held by Ray Clemence who kept 55 clean sheets in his first 100 games for the club.

On the achievement, Reina said, “It’s a massive record for me, but it wouldn’t be possible without my teammates. I’m very proud to be part of Liverpool history because of that. They are great numbers and statistics, but you must keep working to repeat it.

“I always try to do my job as well as possible and I hope it’s the first 100 of a million clean sheets, or maybe just to do the same in the next 100 games!”