'Pepe's the best for the Liverpool way'
Liverpool could not have a more ideal goalkeeper for the club's style of play according to John Achterberg, who has confidence that Pepe Reina can remain between the posts for many years to come.
The Spaniard is among the longest-serving members of Brendan Rodgers' playing squad, having arrived at Anfield from Villarreal eight years ago this summer.
Former Red custodian Brad Friedel and Edwin van der Sar have extended their career into their 40s in recent years - and goalkeeping coach Achterberg believes Reina could match that feat.
"With his feet, Pepe is probably the best in the world. He is one of the best in the world in the way Liverpool want to play," the Dutchman told Liverpoolfc.com.
"A career could be a very long period - you see Brad Friedel is carrying on until 42. I would say he has a lot of years still to go. That's up to him, how fit he stays. You cannot look that far.
"I always used to set myself targets every year: try to get to 32, then 34 and just build it up. I'm sure he will have the same thinking and try to drag the years on."
Reina has endured an injury-troubled campaign during 2012-13 but has produced signs of his best form during recent weeks. How would Achterberg assess the No.25's season?
"A bit mixed really, good moments and some moments where he could be doing better. That's obviously relevant to being a goalkeeper," he said.
"You try to prepare for the game - sometimes things come off and sometimes they don't. He's definitely improved, making decent saves to keep the team in the game.
"He played really well against Wigan and he made a few saves in the game against Aston Villa."
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Reina's injury absences have handed an opportunity to deputy 'keeper Brad Jones, who has featured on 15 occasions for Rodgers' team this season.
Achterberg stressed the importance of having a strong group of goalkeepers within the squad and believes the club's trio of stoppers match any in the Barclays Premier League.
He added: "We have Brad Jones as No.2 - if you look at other clubs, we have a quite experienced No.2 and Brad has also shown he can play if Pepe is not available because of injury.
"Then we have Peter Gulacsi, who has played in the U21s for Hungary and once been called up for the national team. He is quite young still as well but as a No.3 he is also a good professional.
"It's good that the team knows that if Pepe is injured, Brad stepped in and played pretty well. We won games with Brad playing in goal.
"You know you always have to play on the front foot and be ready. You're not allowed to make mistakes because mistakes can cost the team.
"You always have to have mental focus to make sure you limit mistakes and be ready to make saves.
"Brendan tries to get them more involved with positioning, which helps all the 'keepers because we like to play out. We practice a lot of distribution after training.
"But it's also important to do it in training when they are put under pressure. It's helping the boys to make quick passes."