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Liverpool Goalkeeper Pepe Reina Is One Of The Best - Dirk Kuyt
Striker lavishes praise on shot-stopper...
01-Dec-2009 2:26:59 PM
Liverpool attacker Dirk Kuyt has hailed goalkeeper Pepe Reina as one of the best in the world, following his double-save against Everton that became the turning point in the game.
The Reds were holding on to the slenderest of leads, when the shot-stopper was forced to make a save owing to a header from Tim Cahill, before denying Marouane Fellaini from the follow-up effort.
Rafael Benitez's men later went on to score a second and seal the victory, as Kuyt scored a poacher's dream.
"Everton put us under a lot of pressure with the long balls because they have quality players in the air like Fellaini and Cahill," the Dutchman is quoted as saying by The Liverpool Echo.
"They caused us a few problems but I thought the defence and Pepe Reina were superb.
"Pepe made a great double save, and for me he is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. He definitely showed that with the derby match saves.
"When things don't go your way it is disappointing. It has been a very hard period for us but we have to move on now and look forward."
The Netherlands international then stressed the importance of the win, as the Reds are now only two points shy of Arsenal, who are in fourth place with a game in hand.
"It was a good win, especially as it got us back in the top five," he added.
"We needed to win, and that is what matters most, and it has come at the right moment for us. Everybody knows that we have struggled in the Premier League this season and haven't done well in the Champions League. But we have to move on.
"When you play in a derby match, they aren't often the greatest games to watch but I think we showed a lot of character to win, and that's what it was all about. The result is more important than the performance in a derby.
"You know it is going to be hard to play good football and you need to show character.
"We beat Debrecen last week in the Champions League with a clean sheet and we did the same at Everton, so hopefully it will bring some of our confidence back."
The 'Rafalution' will now travel to Ewood Park to clash with Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
Adithya Ananth, Goal.com UK
The Reds were holding on to the slenderest of leads, when the shot-stopper was forced to make a save owing to a header from Tim Cahill, before denying Marouane Fellaini from the follow-up effort.
Rafael Benitez's men later went on to score a second and seal the victory, as Kuyt scored a poacher's dream.
"Everton put us under a lot of pressure with the long balls because they have quality players in the air like Fellaini and Cahill," the Dutchman is quoted as saying by The Liverpool Echo.
"They caused us a few problems but I thought the defence and Pepe Reina were superb.
"Pepe made a great double save, and for me he is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. He definitely showed that with the derby match saves.
"When things don't go your way it is disappointing. It has been a very hard period for us but we have to move on now and look forward."
The Netherlands international then stressed the importance of the win, as the Reds are now only two points shy of Arsenal, who are in fourth place with a game in hand.
"It was a good win, especially as it got us back in the top five," he added.
"We needed to win, and that is what matters most, and it has come at the right moment for us. Everybody knows that we have struggled in the Premier League this season and haven't done well in the Champions League. But we have to move on.
"When you play in a derby match, they aren't often the greatest games to watch but I think we showed a lot of character to win, and that's what it was all about. The result is more important than the performance in a derby.
"You know it is going to be hard to play good football and you need to show character.
"We beat Debrecen last week in the Champions League with a clean sheet and we did the same at Everton, so hopefully it will bring some of our confidence back."
The 'Rafalution' will now travel to Ewood Park to clash with Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
Adithya Ananth, Goal.com UK
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