Pepe Reina Determined To Win Europa League With Liverpool

Silverware is Spaniard's aim... 

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina is determined to win trophies with the Reds despite the disappointing nature of their campaign so far.

Rafael Benitez's men saw their hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League fade somewhat with a draw at Birmingham City at the weekend, leaving the Europa League as their only real chance for any meaningful success this season.

Liverpool welcome Benfica to Anfield on Thursday night for the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie trailing 2-1, but Reina insists that the Reds will be fully motivated as they look to end the season on something of a high.

"This is the only trophy we can lift this season,” said Reina, according to The Liverpool Echo.

"It is massively important. All the players here want to lift silverware and this is our last chance to do that.

"To win a trophy is always good. We, the players, are the first ones who know that the season hasn’t been great. It hasn’t been good enough. We should have done better.

"But as long as we have that opportunity to lift a trophy, it is always important for a club and it is for the players. Now it is up to us to lift it up and we have to be persistent.

"No matter what an individual does, it is all about the team. If you play well as an individual, it doesn’t make a difference if the team has not performed.

"It was always going to be difficult to repeat the 86 points, as that was a massive achievement and the league was always going to be tougher. But we have had one bad season.

"English football is not easy. We were so close last season, that’s why we have been so disappointed with how things have gone this season."

The Spain international does not expect Thursday's game to be easy against a Benfica side who carry such an obvious attacking threat.

He does think that Liverpool's experience and home advantage could give Benitez's team a crucial edge, however.

"I hope we will be able to keep another clean sheet and turn the result around," he added.

"I hope that I will have nothing to do but I don’t think that will be the case.

"We know it is going to be tough but there have been many times in the past when it has been tough and we have been able to manage.

"With Anfield behind us and the supporters ready from the beginning, showing desire, passion and commitment, the effort will be 100 per cent tonight. There is absolutely no doubt about that."