Monthly Archives: July 2013

Reina: I’m not angry with Liverpool

The goalkeeper has now denied suggestions the Reds effectively forced him out of Anfield, and expressed happiness at linking up with Rafael Benitez again

Pepe Reina has backtracked on claims Liverpool accepted a loan offer from Napoli without his consent, now insisting he holds no ill feeling over the move.

The goalkeeper posted an open letter on his personal website earlier in the week that alleged the Anfield outfit had made arrangements to send him to Italy for the upcoming campaign without discussing matters with him first.

However, Reina has now moved to clarify his position, maintaining that whilst he believes the situation was not dealt with in an ideal way, he is, in fact, delighted to be linking up with Rafael Benitez again.

“I’m not angry with Liverpool – quite the opposite. I am very grateful to them for everything they have given me,” he told Spanish radio programme El Larguero on Wednesday.

“My departure was different to what I expected, but I will always be grateful to them.

“The signing wasn’t sealed, because you can’t do that without the consent of the player, but it was at an advanced stage and I didn’t know about it.

“This is the nature of football – when you are loved by a team, you really feel it, but when you go through bad moments, you are treated differently. In the end I will remember the love I felt from the fans for so many years.

“My time in England is where I have felt truly like a footballer and I have put my name among the best players. I’m very proud to have played almost 400 games with Liverpool.”

Reina went on to note that the presence of former Liverpool manager Benitez at the helm of Napoli has made his unanticipated switch to southern Italy more palatable.

“Rafael Benitez is the best coach I have had,” the Spain international enthused. “I don’t know if I’d have joined Napoli without him being there.

“There are many positive things about the city of Napoli and they have a fervent support, like Liverpool’s, but Benitez being there made it much easier for me to sign.”

Reina came through the youth ranks at Barcelona before moving to Villarreal in 2002 and then on to Anfield three years later.

No agreement with Liverpool for Papadopoulos, insist Schalke

The German club’s general manager says the Reds are yet to make a concrete offer for the Greek defender, but admits that his side would consider a sale should a bid arrive

Schalke general manager Horst Heldt has moved to deny rumours suggesting centre-back Kyriakos Papadopoulos is close to joining Liverpool.

The 21-year-old has been linked with a move to Anfield for months now, with recent reports suggesting that a deal somewhere in the region of €15 million is close to being concluded.

However, Heldt has claimed the Bundesliga outfit are yet to receive any offers for the promising Greek international, insisting his side are currently planning for the youngster’s return from a devastating knee injury suffered in November 2012.

“There’s not a jot of truth in it,” Heldt told German newspaper Reviersport. “We have no offer for Papadopoulos. Neither from Liverpool or some other club.

“On the contrary: we are very happy that ‘Papa’ is making progress and can be back soon, hopefully. We’re planning with him.”

Despite being adamant that no bid has arrived for Schalke’s prized asset, Heldt did go on to reveal that the club will consider the sale of Papadopoulos should a sufficient offer be tabled.

He added: “If we receive an offer for him, we will come together and talk about that as we do with every player for us.”

Liverpool set for Melgarejo loan deal

Brendan Rodgers also has the option to buy the Paraguayan full-back for around £7 million next summer, if the temporary move proves successful

Liverpool have agreed a deal with Benfica to sign defender Lorenzo Melgarejo on a season-long loan.

Brendan Rodgers also has the option to make the move permanent for a fee of approximately £7 million at the end of the campaign.

The 22-year-old Paraguay international is being brought to Anfield to provide competition for Jose Enrique at left-back, with Rodgers keen to strengthen his defensive options before competing for a top-four place this term.

Melgarejo made 35 appearances in all competitions for Benfica last season, including the club’s Europa League final defeat to Chelsea in May.

Liverpool’s move for defender hinges on whether a work permit can be obtained as Melgarejo has secured just one senior international cap.

The Paraguayan has also been linked with a move to Arsenal and Turkish side Fenerbahce this summer.