Reds must push on, says Reina

LIVERPOOL goalkeeper Jose Reina admits it is currently impossible for them to compete with Premier League leaders Chelsea and stressed things have to improve if the club are to hold onto their star names.

Early-season struggles have left the Reds in ninth place in the league, prompting speculation about the futures of star names Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and Reina himself.

A change of ownership in October saw New England Sports Ventures take control, but with the transfer window not opening until January they have not yet had a chance to turn their ambitious words and promises into new signings.

Reina has warned his team-mates and the new owners that significant moves forward have to be made.

“We have to finish this season in a better position than we are at the moment and make sure we build for the next years and try to be competitive,” the Spain international said.

“If not, it’s going to be difficult for the club to keep these kind of players. We have to be sure that we deliver better performances; otherwise, it’s going to be really, really, really difficult (to finish in the top four).

“We are not probably as strong as Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham can be and that’s why we have to make sure we build a better squad.

“At the moment, it’s almost impossible to compete for nine months against Chelsea, for example, and that is what I want. The clubs all around England are building proper squads. We have to do the same and we have to be able to compete.”

Reina heads to White Hart Lane to face Tottenham tomorrow looking to break a club record. If he keeps a clean sheet, it will be his 100th in 197 league games – breaking Ray Clemence’s record, which was achieved in 217 outings.

Liverpool will arrive in north London at a time when Tottenham’s confidence has never been higher.

Spurs manager Harry Redknapp yesterday claimed his side can win the Champions League, despite being the only rookies through to the last 16. The Spurs boss insisted it was “not impossible” for his side to go all the way to Wembley, but admitted it was “unlikely” they would beat the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United and Chelsea to European football’s biggest prize.

Redknapp’s declaration came exactly a week after he claimed Tottenham could become Premier League champions, something that was followed just 24 hours later by a stunning comeback against Arsenal in the north London derby.

Spurs carried the momentum from that 3-2 win into Wednesday night’s penultimate Champions League Group A game against Werder Bremen, which saw them clinch qualification for the knockout stage with a game to spare.

Asked if Tottenham, who also stunned holders Inter Milan earlier this month, could succeed the Italians as European champions, Redknapp joked: “I’ll be quoted as saying, ‘We can win the Champions League’, tomorrow!”

He added: “I think Barcelona, Real Madrid are absolutely incredible at the moment; I think anybody beating them is going to do well.

“Chelsea, Man United, for me, are certainly still the two strongest sides in this country. You don’t know, do you? It’s not impossible, it’s not impossible. Anything can happen, can’t it? It’s unlikely but it’s not impossible.”