16 QUESTIONS WITH PEPE REINASteve Hunter 15 November 2005
How is Pepe Reina settling into life at Liverpool? Who's the joker in the Reds' squad? Who has the hardest shot in training? Does he believe he can become Spain's number one? Find out the answers to these questions and more in our exclusive interview.
First of all Pepe, what was it that made you leave Spain and come to Liverpool? I thought it was a great opportunity for me. Liverpool is a great club with a great history and I just want to make the most of my opportunity here with this club.
What's it like having one of the best records in Spain for saving penalties and who was your favourite penalty save against? It was against Eto'o who now plays for Barcelona. He was playing for Real Mallorca against Villarreal and we were winning 2-1. They got a penalty in the last minute and I saved it from Eto'o. He had scored a goal in the first half against me that was also a penalty but I was happy with the save in the last minute.
How highly do you rate the other 'keepers in the Liverpool squad? Jerzy Dudek and Scott Carson are very good goalkeepers as well as being very nice people. They help me all of the time and they are great team-mates.
In the summer there was rumours that Arsenal were interested in you. Why did you choose Liverpool? There were a number of factors. The interest from Arsenal was not definitely true. There were rumours but the real interest was from Liverpool and as soon as Rafa told me he wanted me to sign then it was an easy decision to make.
Who has the hardest shot in training? Djibril Cisse. Riise and Stevie G have hard shots as well but Cisse definitely has the hardest.
Who scores the most goals against you in training? The strikers, Morientes, Cisse and Crouch.
Who's the best forward you've played against? Raul is an amazing striker and is still scoring lots of goals at the top level. Ronaldo is also an unbelievable player and definitely one of the best.
How does the atmosphere inside Anfield compare to the Nou Camp, Bernabeu or other big grounds you have played in? The Bernabeu and the Nou Camp are bigger stadiums but the atmosphere is totally different. When we play at Anfield the fans are always singing and helping us. At the Bernabeu and the Nou Camp you are expected to win all of the time but here at Liverpool the atmosphere is special. It gives you a good feeling to play at Anfield.
Do you think you can take the Spanish number 1 spot from Iker Casillas? I hope so and I will try to do it. It's difficult as he is a great goalkeeper but all I can do is keep working hard and wait for my moment.
Do you have any pre-match superstitions? I have a lot - but I'm going to keep them to myself. For me it's important to keep calm before a match and keep everything under control.
Who is the joker among the Liverpool squad? Luis Garcia. Luis says it's me but I would say he is a great joker. Carra is funny as well. There is great banter in our squad.
Who were your football heroes when you were a young boy? Zubizaretta who played in goal for Barcelona and Spain. He was my hero and I wanted to be like him. I was a Barcelona fan as a child and he was the player I always looked up to.
If you weren't a footballer what would you have done for a career? I don't know to be honest. I only thought about being a goalkeeper.
What CD is currently in your car stereo? You won't know it but it's Spanish music which I really like.
What do you think about English food? Any favourites? It's different but I like all foods so for me it's not a problem.
How do you like to spend your time away from football? At the moment I am looking for a house. I would like to go to the cinema but I must improve my English first.
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