Source: Daily_Mail
Life will be a Lille easier for Liverpool after Portsmouth win, claims Reina
Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina believes the squad have to use Monday's morale-boosting 4-1 win over Portsmouth to get them through Thursday's tricky Europa League last-16 second leg tie against Lille.[LNB]The French side arrive at Anfield with a 1-0 lead courtesy of Eden Hazard's late free-kick a week ago and showed enough in that game to suggest they will be no pushovers.[LNB]Liverpool's poor season - they have suffered early exits from the Champions League and FA Cup and have long been out of the title race - means this is the only trophy they can win.[LNB] Safe hands: Liverpool goal keeper Pepe Reina will need to be in defiant mood when Lille visit Anfield on Thursday[LNB]Reina believes that, allied to the recent confidence boost of their biggest win since September on Monday, will spur the players on.[LNB]'We are 1-0 down and we have to lift it up,' said the Spain international, who revealed he is just a few weeks away from signing a new long-term contract. [LNB]'We have to take those good games we have played as an example and Monday was one of them.[LNB]'I hope we can keep a clean sheet and turn things around. I hope I will have nothing to do but I don't think it will be the case.[LNB]'They are a well-organised team with pace up front and we know it is going to be tough but there have been many times that have been tough and we have managed.'[LNB]The French side will be a difficult prospect, even at Anfield, but Reina insists the players are determined to turn things around as they are desperate to win some silverware to make up for a disappointing campaign. [LNB]'It is the only trophy we can lift this season so it is massively important,' he added. 'A trophy is a trophy and it is always good. [LNB] Hazard-ous: Lille star Eden Hazard (out of shot) hands the French side the lead in the Europa League clash with Liverpool[LNB]'We are the first ones to know the season has not been good and we should have been better. But as long as we have got a possibility of winning a trophy it is important for the club and the players.[LNB]'Lille will play defensively with some pace and ability up front playing counter-attack and we have to be aware of that and manage that.'[LNB]Lille coach Rudi Garcia insists his side will not be over-awed by the 'mythical' Anfield atmosphere. Garcia is confident his players will cope with a big European night on Merseyside, as they did in the previous round when they travelled to Fenerbahce for the second leg.[LNB]Then, leading 2-1, they drew 1-1 in Istanbul thanks to Adil Rami's 85th-minute goal.[LNB]'There is no need to motivate the players for a game like this. The motivation has to be to get as far as we possibly can,' said Garcia.[LNB]'We know we are playing against a legendary side in a very atmospheric - almost mythical - stadium of legends but we have experienced this against Fenerbahce away from home.'[LNB] Rafa Benitez under fire: Albert Riera rap threatens Liverpool loyalty callCapello linked with shock Real Madrid return to replace under-fire PellegriniMan United, City, Liverpool or back to Chelsea - where next for Mourinho?Kjaer calls for Liverpool or Manchester United offer to tempt him from PalermoRafa Benitez's Pepe talk - Liverpool boss says: Be loyal like ReinaLIVERPOOL FC
