Reina eyes Premiership medal

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina says that although winning the FA Cup was very important to him, he must now win the Premiership with Liverpool ‘œto be truly recognised’ in Spain.

The Spanish goalkeeper was the hero of Liverpool’s penalty shoot-out victory over West Ham in the thrilling FA Cup Final in May.

But Reina says that back home in Spain the FA Cup is not taken as seriously as in England. He says, “The reaction in Spain to the FA Cup win was very normal. It is a big title but back home the Copa Del Rey is not viewed in the same way as other honours. Over here [in England] the FA Cup is the most important cup competition in the world but in Spain it is not nearly as significant.

“People said ‘congratulations’ but that was it. To be truly recognised in Spain, you have to win the Premiership or the Champions League.

“We have got to try and get closer to Chelsea but we are confident that it is possible to catch them. We are approaching it in the right way and will continue trying to improve. Arsenal will probably be stronger this season. They are building a young team and have very good players, and play the right way.”

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