PLAYER PROFILE

Jose Manuel Reina

Position: Goal

Height: 6'2

Weight: 13st 5lbs

Date of Birth: 1982-08-31 Madrid, Spain

Jose Manuel Reina

Goalkeeper Jose Reina arrived at Anfield in the summer of 2005 just months after Liverpool's famous Champions League triumph against AC Milan.

One of the stars that night was Polish international keeper Jerzy Dudek, who saved two penalties and made some stunning saves during the game. But Reina's arrival at Anfield would see Dudek relinquish his role as Liverpool's first choice keeper to the Spaniard.

Reina began his career with Barcelona, despite the fact that he was born in Madrid. He made 30 league appearances during 3 years at the Nou Camp as well as featuring in some European games, including a UEFA Cup quarter final against Liverpool.

He was allowed to join Villarreal on-loan at the start of the 2002/2003 season to gain some first experience. With opportunities at Barca likely to be limited, he made the move a permanent one shortly after.

His three years at Estadio El Madrigal saw him enhance his reputation as one of Spain's top young goalkeepers and in the 2004/2005 season he helped Villarreal qualify for the Champions League by saving an incredible 7 out of 9 penalties during the campaign.

Such impressive peformances hadn't gone unnoticed, with Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez paying �6 million to bring "Pepe" to England

His first season at Anfield saw Reina firmly establish himself as the clubs number one goalkeeper, breaking several records with his impressive performances. In December 2005, he set a new club record for consecutive clean sheets (8) and after making his 50th appearance for the club against Blackburn on 16 April 2006, he set a new record for least goals conceded by a goalkeeper in their first 50 games for the club, with his 29 conceded beating Ray Clemence's 32.

He ended the season by being voted the Premiership's top keeper and helping the club win the FA Cup. Despite a number of blunders during normal time his heroics in the penalty shoot-out, where he saved 3 out of 4 penalties, helped the club to win one of the greatest cup finals of all-time.

Reina's form in the 2006/07 season proved patchy, with his error-strewn performance in the 3-0 Merseyside derby defeat to Everton proving the lowlight of his career so far.

However, his form slowly returned, hitting its zenith with a collection of fine saves in the Champions' League semi-final penalty shoot-out against Chelsea.

Reina continued this fine form in 2007/08, and although he ended the domestic season trophyless, he was a part of the Spain squad which won Euro 2008 in June.