Liverpool FC Forum

[azriahmad]

At last since Bruce Grobbelaar at his most eccentric best, we have a consistent goalkeeper.

Make no mistake, Reina is also a big factor in our defence playing much better this season.

Another point well made was ivor_the_injun's point about Reina's distribution. This is often overlooked in 'keepers but Reina is tops in this area. Dudek's a fine shot stopper but he doesn't catch anywhere near as good as Reina does and is far too error-prone. He had a blinding second half in the CL final, perhaps he was the Dudek who first arrived at Liverpool before his blunder against Manure a few years back shot his confidence and he was never the same again. Even then, overall Reina is better.

[JC_81]

Never once this season has he made a save that I've thought - 'he had no right to save that'.  Compare that with people like Cech and Robinson though, they seem to do it on a regular basis.  It's this area that in my opinion prevents Reina from being classed as a world class keeper.

I remember Reina making quite a few superb saves, the most recent world class save was a few weeks back, Ive watched too many Liverpool games this season to remember what game it was, I'm sure someone will remind me....Plus some of his shot stopping this season has saved us a few points certainly.

Furthermore, the reason we haven't seen more of Reina is because we haven't had to, Reina has been exposed to far less danger than other keepers in the Premiership as our defence is currently the best in the country.

Agree with the second part of what you're saying.  Reina doesn't often have a lot to do, and maybe if he was playing behind a weaker defence you'd see a bit more of what he is capable of in terms of shot-stopping.

He has made good saves no doubt and I'm sure his consistent performances have been as good as adding about 10 points onto our premiership points total from last season.  But that's not my point, I can't ever remember him making a save that he wouldn't be expected to make as the keeper of a champions league side.

If you can think of specific examples that I've missed then I'll hold my hands up, but I think you'll struggle.  As I say though it is only a minor point and I'm probably nit-picking, but I think he's been a great signing.

[andypool2285]

i think bigmick right pepe twice as young and he just got that prez about him in his goal ? the save vs bro was outstanding and he shout at the defence ? i know people moan about the way he punch on corners but my cosin a steward in the kop and he said b4 any one get there they cross the ball to him and he punch it my cosin said it was amz how far it  go's

[H_K_LFC]

I've seen nothing from Pepe for me to believe he is a better keeper than Dudek! What do you guys think? I know Jerzey made mistakes, but his double save from Shevsheko was unbelieveable!

You can't judge a keeper on one save although it was an amazing save.Pepe has shown he is a much better keeper than Dudek,the back 4 are more comforgable knowing he is behind them and we are now conceading less goals.

[RichardLFC1]

Reina is far better and he has kept us quite a bit of games and some off the things reina has done i dont think dudek cud off

[lawrenson_sarah]

I feel so much more confident with having Reina in goal.

Reina to me looks more confident in goal and isnt afraid to come of his line. Yeh he might have made a few mistakes every now and again, but what keeper hasnt?

I do feel sorry for Dudek though. But still id much rather see Reina on the teamsheet

[The Ace1983]

His one night of heroics, as wonderful as it was, cannot make up for his years of mediocrity, mixed with occasional lapses of incompetant stupidity. His distribution was poor, he had little command of an area and he made poor choices.

All of this aside, it is a simple question of "who makes up a better defensive unit?". And the simple answer is Pepe. Aside from having better reflexes and better positional sense, he makes the likes of Sami and Jamie far more confident, and allows them to push on and stay calm, which in turn makes our attack better.

Dudek will always be remembered, quite rightly, as a hero for what he did in Istanbul. But one great performance does not a great player make.

[Poolinc.]

Dudek will always be remembered, quite rightly, as a hero for what he did in Istanbul. But one great performance does not a great player make.

Agreed! But my reference to istanbul was as an example of the type of spectacular saves that Jerzy is capable of, and the type of save I am yet to see Pepe make!! I think we treated Jerzy badly without (well, to me anyway) seeing anything world class from Pepe! I get all the distribution and speed things but Pepe is not perfect, in fact I am starting to cringe now when I see him going to punch the ball.... But again I must reiterate I think he is great, just how great, I don't know yet...

[Pablo_Escobar]

As I should be behind my compatriot, Pepe is a better keeper than Jerzy. Period.
I just wish Rafa would let Jerzy go and let him have some playing time at other club to prepare for World Cup.

[Flashard]

Although this topic mentions two good keepers, i think we have forgot one great name that we should rightly mention if you are trying to find out who is better.

i.e
1. Pepe
2. Jerzey

3. James
What about the quality he brought to the club.
Commanding,safe hands, and fantastic from set plays and crosses.

Please take a moment to remember this asset.

[mighty mo]

pepe is far  superior in every aspect,and i no longer get nervous when crosses are coming into the box like i have since the days of james to dudek,pepe is the best liverpool keeper i have seen since bruce.

[Flashard]

Pepe for me really.

[drummerphil]

Pepe Reina brings an air of confidence to the team.Although he must feel very fortunate to be playing behind Carragher, Hyypia, and Finnan you can all most be certain that our defence feels equally fortunate to have him behind them.
His first season has been a success and although he makes the odd flap at crosses when under pressure,his agility and awareness has been superb.
Although he has a fair way to go he brings a presence to the side that i feel was last seen at Anfield when Clemence was in goal and seems he can be totally counted on.
Dudek is a fine goal keeper who on his day can be world class,but his "world class" days you could count on one hand in a season and daft errors and inconsistency are his downfall in the same way a certain David James has them.
He will be fondly remembered for his saves and antics in the CL final and will go down in Anfield folklore.I think as a second goal keeper he could still do a job,but i feel he deserves a chance at first team football somewhere else where he could still do a wonderful job.

[The Ace1983]

Dudek will always be remembered, quite rightly, as a hero for what he did in Istanbul. But one great performance does not a great player make.

Agreed! But my reference to istanbul was as an example of the type of spectacular saves that Jerzy is capable of, and the type of save I am yet to see Pepe make!! I think we treated Jerzy badly without (well, to me anyway) seeing anything world class from Pepe! I get all the distribution and speed things but Pepe is not perfect, in fact I am starting to cringe now when I see him going to punch the ball.... But again I must reiterate I think he is great, just how great, I don't know yet...

I have to disagree. Pepe is such a vast improvement overall that in my eyes he is universal class! Look at the stats. We have the same back four as we did and how many goals have we conceded compared with last season. I don't know exactly, but I'll wager it is a fair deal fewer. Pepe is young, strong, comfortable with crosses, athletic and confident. Dudek should be allowed to leave and be remembered as a hero, but we must look to the future and that means Pepe. And I'm more than happy with that.

[zarababe]

Reina always - cos he inspires confidence in the whole team, is so assured and extremely commanding is his area.. the club has the most clean sheets in one sweason now then a certain season in the 1980's when Brucie kept goal..

and most importantly he's absolutely gorgeous ...