Pepe Reina is set to make his 300th appearance for Liverpool against Sporting Braga later tonight and Kenny Dalglish has hailed the Spaniard's efforts by claiming him to be the best goalkeeper in the world.
Liverpool will need to overturn a 1-0 first leg deficit when they host Braga tonight and they will certainly need a clean sheet from Pepe Reina to boosts their chances. Nonetheless, Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has heaped praises on Reina by calling him "one of, if not the best goalkeeper".
"In my opinion Pepe Reina is one of, if not the, best keeper in the world,'' Dalglish said.
"I know he doesn't get in his national side, but if it's my opinion you're asking for that would be my shout. He has been fantastic for this football club and is a great asset to us. That is reflected in that if Stevie (Gerrard) or Carra (Jamie Carragher) are not playing, he is our captain.''
Liverpool have not lost in 10 European matches at Anfield, drawing just one, since November 2009 and their record in Europa League and UEFA Cup games is even better. Their last defeat on home turf came 15 fixtures ago against Celtic in March 2003.
That history should stand them in good stead as they seek to bounce back from their first European defeat in 14 games last week in Portugal, where they lost 1-0.
Sporting Braga's last trip to England ended in a 6-0 defeat to Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League group stages and Dalglish certainly understands the advantage of playing the second leg at home.
"Anfield is always an advantage for us,'' he said.”Even though we're one down, the fans can help us turn things around, but it's mainly up to us to help ourselves. We need to start much better than in the first leg.''
"In my opinion Pepe Reina is one of, if not the, best keeper in the world,'' Dalglish said.
"I know he doesn't get in his national side, but if it's my opinion you're asking for that would be my shout. He has been fantastic for this football club and is a great asset to us. That is reflected in that if Stevie (Gerrard) or Carra (Jamie Carragher) are not playing, he is our captain.''
Liverpool have not lost in 10 European matches at Anfield, drawing just one, since November 2009 and their record in Europa League and UEFA Cup games is even better. Their last defeat on home turf came 15 fixtures ago against Celtic in March 2003.
That history should stand them in good stead as they seek to bounce back from their first European defeat in 14 games last week in Portugal, where they lost 1-0.
Sporting Braga's last trip to England ended in a 6-0 defeat to Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League group stages and Dalglish certainly understands the advantage of playing the second leg at home.
"Anfield is always an advantage for us,'' he said.”Even though we're one down, the fans can help us turn things around, but it's mainly up to us to help ourselves. We need to start much better than in the first leg.''
