Liverpool’s Pepe Reina: I’ve a great relationship with Brendan Rodgers

Pepe Reina says he has a “great relationship” with Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers despite persistent speculation surrounding his future.

The Spain international has endured a below-par campaign by his high standards, making an alarming number of errors, most recently in a 2-2 draw at Manchester City.

There was talk of Rodgers making a swoop for a goalkeeper in the summer, with reported target Jack Butland snapped up by Stoke City, while Barcelona are reported to be keen on Reina.

However, the 30-year-old, who joined from Villarreal in 2006, says he has learned a lot from the Northern Irish manager and is confident Rodgers will turn the Reds into a great side.

“I have a great relationship with him,” Reina told Liverpool’s website.

“We have a lot of ideas in common and the way we see football is quite similar. Our understanding about tactics and feeling for football is very similar. I’m very happy with our manager.

“It’s about learning and he’s certainly making sure we learn every day in training about ways to win. That’s important because at the end of the day, what you want to do is win. If you play good football, you’ll definitely be closer to winning more games.

“That’s where we are and my relationship with the manager is very good.

“If the players follow the philosophy, we’ll definitely become a great side – a difficult and strong side to beat and a competitive one.”