The younger generation of Liverpool fans have enjoyed Alisson, a true master of the goalkeeping craft, guarding the posts at Anfield. Those who are a bit older, though, will remember that Pepe Reina was the one who would leave the Kop a gasp with his impossible saves.
The Spanish shot-stopper signed for the Reds from Villarreal back in 2005 in a move valued at roughly £9 million. Reina immediately became the undisputed starting goalkeeper at Liverpool and would keep this role until 2013.
In 2024, offers from bookmakers in the UK collected by the Legalbet team, a group of experts in betting, may still be used for wagers on Pepe Reina’s team matches, as the goalkeeper does not plan to retire despite being over 40 years old.
To remember the good old days, this article will go over the five best saves of Pepe Reina’s career as a Liverpool player.
Sinclair’s Volley to the Top Bins Denied
When Liverpool signed Pepe Reina from Villarreal, he was already considered one of the best goalkeepers in Spain. But in England, he needed to prove himself anew.
That moment came in the Reds’ 1-0 win over Man City at home in 2005/06. The hosts opened the score before the break but Man City were not willing to give up despite being one man down.
The Citizens’ best opportunity came through Trevor Sinclair in the second half when the winger sent a powerful volley from outside the box to the top right corner. The shot looked like a sure goal of the year contender if not for Reina. With a well-timed jump, the goalkeeper stretched his body and palmed the ball away right from under the bar!
Crucial Penalty Save vs Chelsea
A monster when it came to penalties, he earned this reputation in his first season in England by denying West Ham players thrice in the final to help secure the FA Cup. However, the highlight of his penalty-saving abilities came against Chelsea in the 2006/07 UEFA Champions League semi-final.
Reina was incredible in both legs and when the game reached penalties, it was time to hit the nail in the Blues’ coffin. If there is the need to pick one save that night, then it has to be Arjen Robben’s penalty. The Dutchman was the first Blue player to step up to the spot. Reina read his intentions perfectly and made a confident save, which was the beginning of the end for the London side.
Branislav Ivanovic Header? No Problemo!
In November 2011, Liverpool paid a visit to Chelsea in the Premier League in an important match for the race for UEFA Champions League spots. Pepe Reina clearly meant business that night. His most crucial save came in the second half, shortly after the hosts had equalised.
Didier Drogba sent a curled cross into the box towards an onrushing Branislav Ivanovic. The right-back made just the perfect touch to beat the goalkeeper, or so it seemed! With a quick reaction, Reina went to the ground and sent the ball out for a corner in the blink of an eye.
Liverpool withstood the pressure, and in the 89th minute, Glen Johnson scored the winner to have the team tied on points with Chelsea and climb up in the standings.
Pepe’s Own Favourite
It would be unfair to not mention the save which Pepe himself considers the best of his career at Anfield, as revealed in an interview with the Liverpool official website.
“The one in the last minute of the FA Cup final against West Ham, in terms of importance; a cross from Yossi Benayoun and the shot from (Nigel) Reo-Coker. Because it was the final minute we could have lost 4-3,” Reina said.
Pepe would go on to save three shots in the subsequent penalty shootout and win his second trophy as a Red.
Double Save vs Everton
It was almost expected that the shot-stopper would perform when it mattered. The Merseyside derby from 2009 was an example of such a game.
In the second half, Liverpool were 1-0 up when Pepe Reina produced the save that most would consider the best of his career. With the Toffees in the search of the equaliser, their player sent a long ball into the box which found Tim Cahill. Reina was able to stop the header from the prolific Australian striker, but that wasn’t all!
Marouane Fellaini rushed first to the ball and was probably celebrating in his head already. But the Liverpool hero quickly regrouped and saved the follow-up shot too, despite it being from a close distance.
Keeping their cool, the Reds took advantage of a last-minute mistake from Everton and sealed the game through Dirk Kuyt, a 2-0 victory made possible by Reina!
