Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has revealed that goalkeeper Pepe Reina could soon be offered a new long-term contract to stay at the club.

Benitez says he regards Reina as one of the world’s best goalkeepers and is one of the players he sees having a long-term future at the club.

Reina showed immense passion just last week when he sprinted the full length of the pitch at Anfield to be the first to congratulate striker David N’gog on scoring the Reds’ second in the 2-0 victory over Manchester Utd.

And Benitez regards the shot stopper very highly. He said, “Everyone knows he’s a good goalkeeper who has kept a lot of clean sheets for us and broken good records.

“He’s someone who has a very good mentality who helps team spirit. He’s a very important player for us, and one of those player who everyone can see is key.

“Pepe is one of the players who I will be really pleased if we can keep him for a long time.

“He is someone who is keen to learn, he wants to improve and is still young. He can be a top keeper for 10 more years; he has a great future and we’ve spoken to his agent to try and arrange something.

“He still has time on his contract but we are trying to keep him happy for the future, too. I have spoken with him and his agent. We have agreed that we have got to have a proper conversation in a few weeks.”

Reina joined Liverpool in the summer of 2005 from Villarreal. On 22nd March 2009, he became the quickest goalkeeper in Liverpool history to keep 100 clean sheets in all competitions, having played 197 games.