Bullish Hodgson says Reina not leaving Pool

LIVERPOOL manager Roy Hodgson has warned Manchester United that goalkeeper Jose Reina is not for sale.

The Spain international was linked with the Reds’ arch-rivals earlier this week and Arsenal have been mentioned as potential suitors in the past.

But Hodgson insisted: “We have heard nothing from Manchester United and, more to the point, we don’t want to hear anything from Manchester United.”

He added: “If (Alex) Ferguson is looking around at the end of the season and he has got lots of money to replace (Edwin) van der Sar, he might very well want Pepe Reina because he is the best around.

“But we do not want to sell him. I would like to think that we are going to become a successful club once again and Pepe is crucial to that.”

Meanwhile, defender Martin Skrtel is hoping Liverpool can take their winning mentality to Bolton on Sunday.

The Reds sealed a massive 2-1 victory over Blackburn last time to move up to nine points in the league, although they still sit in the bottom three on goal difference.

Slovakia star Skrtel wants the Reds to now build on this crucial win for the potentially tricky trip to the Reebok on Sunday to face the high-flying Trotters.

He said: “A team like Liverpool has to be all about winning and I hope that we will carry it on from Blackburn on to the Bolton game.

“I think our performances will get better and better now. In the past few months there has been some trouble around the club (with the owners) and now we know the situation is done.

“That means it is all about the players now. We have got to carry on and work hard on the pitch for the club. We have got to show our quality and our heart and keep going so we can improve.’’

Prior to the Blackburn win, the Reds secured a creditable goalless stalemate against Napoli in the Europa League and Skrtel is pleased with the way Hodgson’s side have performed in the last two games.

“We really needed three points because we have been under pressure and everyone was expecting us to beat Blackburn — thankfully we got them,’’ he said.

“The game in Napoli was a good performance, we created some chances but couldn’t score. It was a small step and hopefully things will be better now because of these moments.

“The league table has not been nice to look at but, when you look at it, the teams are all very close together and if we keep winning, we will be going higher.’’

Meanwhile, forward Dirk Kuyt is making encouraging progress in his recovery from an ankle problem and could be fit to face Chelsea a week on Sunday.

Kuyt was expected to be sidelined for a month after sustaining the injury on international duty a fortnight ago.

Hodgson said: “He shouldn’t be as far advanced as he is with his ankle but he’s looking good. I don’t think he’ll be fit for the weekend but maybe the weekend after.”

Full-back Glen Johnson has an outside chance of returning for Sunday’s trip to Bolton after missing three of the last four games with a thigh injury.

Ryan Babel has been cleared of serious injury after taking a blow to the ribs in a reserve match this week.

Elsewhere, Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder has signed a new long-term contract with the club until June 2015.

The 26-year-old Netherlands international has been strongly linked with a move away from the San Siro in recent weeks, with Premier League outfit Manchester United thought to be chasing his signature.

However, the World Cup finalist has now put pen-to-paper on a new deal with the Nerazzurri, quashing speculation that he could be on his way out of Giuseppe Meazza.

Inter president Massimo Moratti confirmed the news at a shareholders meeting yesterday, after Sneijder had previously underlined his intention to stay.

The former Real Madrid and Ajax man moved to the club last summer and played an integral part in firing Jose Mourinho’s side to a superb treble which included winning Serie A, the Coppa Italia and the UEFA Champions League.

Now Rafa Benitez is the man at the helm and after a tricky start to the campaign, it had been suggested that Sneijder was considering his options.

But he has now committed to the cause at Inter as Benitez tries to repeat the remarkable achievements of last season.

Sneijder was recently named on the list of nominees for the Fifa Ballon d’Or award, and club president Moratti believes he has a fighting chance.

“Everyone is free to say that someone else must win, but it’s so clear that it will be up to him,” he said.

“He launched Inter to the treble win and Holland to the World Cup final.”