Reina: Reds focused on derby day

Posted Friday, February 05, 2010 by PA

Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina insists the players are not looking beyond Saturday's 213th Merseyside derby despite an improved run of form.

The Reds are unbeaten in six Barclays Premier League matches and victory at Anfield against their near neighbours in the lunchtime kick-off would take them fourth. That would put the pressure on Tottenham, who host fellow top-four challengers Aston Villa in the evening match.

However, Reina said their focus was purely on beating David Moyes' side. "It is a big match and we know that but we play at home once again and we know the supporters will be right behind us," said the Spain international.

He added: "Our target is to beat Everton, that is the only one at the moment.

"We cannot think any further ahead than that because we are not in the same situation as last season when we were fighting for the title.

"At the moment, to prevent more pressure on us than we already have, we have to keep winning and stay focused on the next game only.

"You can talk about improving and this and that, but at the end of the day you have to win.

"It doesn't matter about how you play, it is all about winning."

Reina has been Liverpool's best player this season, although he has been run close by centre-back Sotiros Kyrgiakos in recent weeks, and has kept five clean sheets in their current run.

"I try to take responsibility. I have been here for five years already and I know how the club works and what people expect from us," he added. "The senior players like Stevie (Gerrard), Jamie Carragher, Dirk Kuyt, me and Javier Mascherano know we have to act by example and be the first ones to stick together."