• Premier League

Reina: Liverpool need to end season on a high

ESPN staff
April 15, 2013
Pepe Reina believes Liverpool's following games will be enough to motivate his team-mates © Getty Images
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Pepe Reina has called on his Liverpool team-mates to finish the season with a flourish after their European qualification hopes effectively disappeared.

Brendan Rodgers' side remain seventh in the Premier League after Saturday's 0-0 draw at bottom club Reading.

With only five games to play, Liverpool have eight points to make up on Tottenham in fifth, which is where they would need to finish to make next season's Europa League.

Rodgers admitted his frustration after his team failed to convert a number of chances to claim victory at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday.

The result has left them playing for little more than pride as they prepare for Chelsea on Sunday, but goalkeeper Reina, 30, wants to end the season on a high.

He told the Liverpool Echo: "There are still 15 points to play for and it's vitally important we finish the season well. We need to make sure that we are focused on the games we've got remaining and we need to end the season with a winning mentality. That will be important in terms of next season.

"There will be no shortage of motivation. Look at the games we've got left; Chelsea and Everton at home, Newcastle away. Those kind of matches are a motivation for any player and even more so when you are wearing a Liverpool shirt.

"We need to get some wins. If that gets us into Europe, then good. But if not, we need those wins for our own pride. Whenever you get the opportunity to play for this club you need to give 100% in every game and try to win them all."

Reina will join the rest of Liverpool's squad at Anfield for a memorial service on Monday to mark the 24th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.

"It's a very important day for the club and we will be there to show our support for the families and remember the 96 [who died]," Reina said. "The families who have fought so hard had some good news last September with the Hillsborough Independent Panel report.

"Finally, there has been some progress but still justice hasn't been made. We will keep pushing for that."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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