Arsenal and Barcelona have been touted as possible destinations for the Spanish goalkeeper in the summer, but the Reds boss is confident the 30-year-old will remain at Anfield

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has rubbished speculation linking Pepe Reina with a move away from Anfield and insists the goalkeeper is part of his long-term vision for the club.

The Spanish goalkeeper’s form this term has fallen well below the high standards set in previous seasons although it has done little to deter talk of a summer switch away from the Merseyside club with Arsenal and Barcelona both reportedly interested.

However, Rodgers has moved to quell rumours of Reina’s exit and maintains that the 30-year-old will remain an integral part of his squad for some time yet.

“He’s never been unsettled and our relationship is very strong,” Rodgers told the Guardian.

“I have given him and a few of the senior boys real responsibility and I think they have enjoyed that. I see him as someone who is going to be here [next season].

“He is 30 years of age and is someone who looks after his body. The sports science team this year have worked really well with him. I think he’s been outstanding and had great focus and hopefully that will continue for us.”

Reina’s father, Miguel, revealed that the Reds’ shot-stopper could return to former club Barcelona to replace Victor Valdes, but Rodgers has dismissed the links as pure speculation and is adamant that Reina is committed to Liverpool.

“Pepe and I speak a lot. He’s a good man and I’ve got real respect for him as a player and as a human being,” the Northern Irishman added.

“He understands everything we are trying to do here and is a great voice in the little debriefing meetings we have with the group and with the defenders and other goalkeepers. He’s brilliant.

“And on a personal level we’ll sit and have a cup of tea in the office and we’ll chat about where he’s at with his game and how he can improve.

“I think a lot of the stuff this year has been based on speculation with [Victor] Valdés going, or possibly going, there have been links they [Barcelona] will be in for another keeper. His dad has said some things and whatever.”

The 42-year-old is set to join up with former Portsmouth team-mate Hermann Hreidarsson in Scandinavia after his latest stint in the English game ended last month

David James has revealed that he is to sign for Icelandic side IBV after his short-term contract with Bournemouth came to an end.

The 42-year-old, who has enjoyed spells at Liverpool, Aston Villa and Portsmouth in the past, ended his stint with the League One side by mutual consent last month.

And James looks set to reunite with former team-mate Hermann Hreidarsson, who now manages the Scandinavian club, taking on a player-coach role in the process.

“I am going to sign for #ibv in Iceland today. My role is as player/coach, alongside Herman. We are both very excited about the journey ahead,” James wrote on his Twitter account.

James also explained that he is looking to raise funds for cash-strapped Portsmouth, with one of his first games for his new employers set to be in a charity match against them at Fratton Park.

He added: “I am also looking forward to playing for £ibv in the match at Fratton Park, 16th April. Lets hope the club is sorted, sharpish!”

The England captain, who has put talks over a new contract on the back-burner, argues that inconsistency has cost the Anfield club a tilt at the Champions League this season

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard insists that the club need reinforcements to challenge for a place in the Champions League next season.

Brendan Rodgers’ side are currently seventh in the Premier League table, seven points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, and though they still retain a slim chance of reaching the Champions League, the Reds star says that they will edge closer with some more key additions.

“We know what the problem is and it’s inconsistency,” Gerrard told reporters. “In the minority of games we’ve played well enough to be higher than where we are in the league.

“But when you look at performances like Southampton, [Aston] Villa at home, West Brom away, Arsenal at home, there’s a handful of games where this team hasn’t turned up.

“That’s the reason why we are sitting where we are in the table. In between those games there have been some fantastic performances, well worth a top four finish. So we know we’re not far away but I think if you say that you haven’t got what you deserved then there’s an element of feeling sorry for yourself.

“If there’s a few improvements in the summer to the squad, we believe we can put in a better challenge to the top four next season.”

Despite Rodgers confirming that Gerrard will be offered a new contract in the near future, the 32-year-old is maintaining his focus on finishing the season well.

“For me, [a new contract] is not a priority at the moment,” he opined. “The most important thing for me now is to move on to the West Ham game. I want to finish the season strong. I’m feeling good.

“Of course, I’m happy that the club are mentioning new contracts but it’s not important at the moment.

“What we need to do is put pressure on for that European place. A lot of the teams above us need to play each other. We’re hoping there’s a few slip ups above us and we can capitalise, but it’s important that we take maximum points.”