Rodgers on Reina, Carra and Spurs

Reina was instrumental in the Reds' handsome 4-0 victory over Wigan last weekend, making several stunning saves to ensure that Rodgers' side kept a clean sheet at the DW Stadium.

The Spaniard's performance was no surprise to the boss, though, and the Northern Irishman explained his admiration for the 30-year-old at his press briefing on Friday afternoon.

"Pepe has made the comments himself, that at times he can be better. But what I know I get from Pepe is he always gives his best," Rodgers told reporters at Melwood.

"He's not immune to mistakes. We've seen throughout the season, not just with Pepe but many of the goalkeepers - they make a mistake and unfortunately for them it can prove costly.

"In his performance last week, he made outstanding saves at critical moments of the game. His preparation has been spot on, he's training well and working very hard - he's now starting to get the rewards for that.

"We're up to 11 clean sheets now, which is up there with the top teams in the league.

"Defensively we've looked strong, the balance in the team has been good and he's been a big part of that. He's still a young man; at 30 years of age, you can still improve. Look at the likes of Edwin van der Sar, who played until he was 40 at the top level.

"Goalkeepers can go on that bit longer - as long as the preparation is right and they focus and want to do better. There's no reason why Pepe Reina can't."

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The boss believes his whole squad are reaping the rewards for hard work and commitment and hopes the Reds can extend their three-match winning streak when high-flying Tottenham visit Anfield this Sunday.

Rodgers added: "It was a brilliant performance last week and we're just focusing on the next game, which will be a fantastic game against Tottenham.

"The tipping point now is that it's going more for us than against us. We've played a lot of really good games this season and maybe weren't as cohesively good then as we are now.

"We've played 28 games - after 14 games we were 12th in the league. If you take the points total from the following 14, we'd be third.

"It's going how I thought it would go, which would be improvement as the players became accustomed to how we work.

"Because of the great attitude of the players - they've really embraced the work - they're getting the rewards. At this moment in time, the level is very high and we want to continue with that."

Should he feature against the Londoners this weekend, centre-back Carragher will clock up his 500th appearance in the Barclays Premier League.

Rodgers echoed the defender's confirmation that there will be no U-turn on his decision to retire and saluted the 35-year-old for his professionalism.

"I've been aware of Jamie's situation from last summer," said the manager.

"It has been in his mind for over 18 months now. I was very thankful that he was prepared to stay on this season; it's going for him how he would want it to go.

"He's a very proud man and an outstanding player; you see even now, at 35, how he's playing at this level. He and I speak a lot but we haven't spoken specifically about him coming out of retirement.

"I have to respect that the reason why he made the announcement was purely to get it out there so he can focus on his football.

"He's a remarkable professional, how he's looked after himself all his life. You play for a club like Liverpool and the pressures are near enough incomparable to most other clubs.

"To be here for this length of time and commit yourself to the cause - being a local boy as well - be as successful as he has been and still at 35 be an outstanding performer, shows the impact he has made as a footballer.

"He's very focused on the last games and I hope he can continue with the form he has shown since he was brought into the team recently.

"It's a remarkable effort to play that number of games at this level - huge applause to him and great credit to his professionalism."

Luis Suarez became the division's top scorer with his treble against the Latics last Saturday and, when asked about the Uruguayan, Rodgers insisted the goals will keep coming.

The 40-year-old continued: "He's got 10 games to go - he's really, really hungry. His consistency this year has been phenomenal.

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"We're not a one-man team, it would be very disrespectful to other players in the team who have been outstanding - Steven Gerrard and the likes.

"Look at our fourth goal last week - it came from a great team move and Luis finished it off. He's a master marksman that has been really efficient this year.

"We're very much about the team and Luis is a big part of that. Hopefully he can continue the brilliant form he has been in, he has been in that form right the way through the season.

"He's a remarkable man. I've been asked before about the Player of the Year award - if we're talking about football, this is a guy that has consistently done it this season.

"What I've also admired from close hand is that this is a guy who is also trying to change. He's trying to turn around his life and adapt to the culture, and you can clearly see that. He's incredible to work with.

"He was struggling a bit last weekend with an injury, believe it or not. Nine out of 10 players wouldn't have played.

"Everyone was talking about his hat-trick, but he was actually partly injured going into the game but he wanted to play. To have someone like that in your team gives you great hope and is an inspiration for other players. He really wants to win for Liverpool."

Rodgers was also quizzed about the club's financial report announcement earlier this week.

"If you look where the club was at four years ago and where the club is at now, it's a different place. Next year's results will show further improvement on that," he said.

"In terms of building the squad, I've already had assurances that it won't affect anything. You have to give massive credit to the board - they've made every promise and every commitment to me that every single penny they have goes into making the squad better.

"We're looking to standardise here, and make sure we can grow the club and bring in quality players. That won't stop in the summer."