Reina welcomes Mignolet competition
Posted Monday, June 24, 2013 by Foxsports.com
Pepe Reina understands the need for competition for the goalkeeping role and has promised to do everything he can to help welcome Simon Mignolet to Liverpool.
The Reds are said to be closing in on the Sunderland custodian after the Belgian earned positive reviews for his performances over the recently-concluded 2012/13 Barclays Premier League campaign.
In contrast, Reina had one of his worst seasons in a Reds shirt as he let in 34 goals in the league and produced several sub-par performances.
The Spaniard understands that manager Brendan Rodgers might be interested in bringing in Mignolet to pump up the competition for the goalkeeping role. And he stated that he would bear Mignolet no ill-will if the 25-year-old did eventually complete a widely-expected summer move to Anfield.
"I said it many times, I'm very comfortable and happy with Liverpool," the 30-year-old told a press conference at the Confederations Cup.
"Every team needs competition and when it's positive, it's very welcome. I'm going to welcome him [Mignolet] - anything he needs I'm here."
Reina has also been linked with a move to Barcelona in order to replace wantaway goalkeeper Victor Valdes. However, Rodgers has denied any such motivations for Mignolet's likely acquisition in the coming weeks.
"One of the things we're trying to build is a competitive squad," he told talkSPORT.
"Our squad was very thin last year and it was great we were able to introduce a few young players from our academy but it's very important that we have competition in every position and that wasn't always the case.
"Pepe and I went out for a meal a couple of months before the end of the season and I told him exactly what we were going to do, which was to provide real competition in that area.
"He was fully aware of my intention over the course of the last few months. It certainly wouldn't be a surprise to Pepe.
"Pepe is a fantastic goalkeeper but Simon is a player that has done really well. He's also part of an emerging Belgium squad that has come into a golden era. He's very much a part of that.
"When you work with Pepe, he's a great man. A very committed man to the club and he's an outstanding goalkeeper."
The Reds are yet to agree a deal with Sunderland to sign Mignolet as well, according to the player's agent.
The two clubs had reportedly agreed a fee in excess of £11million for the Belgium international, who has won 13 caps for his country. But the 25-year-old's representative, Guy Vandermissen, says he has still not been informed from either club that a deal has been done.
He said: "We hope that there can be a deal and he can go to Liverpool."
"If you go from Sunderland to Liverpool it is a big step forward. You have to make decisions at certain times."
Vandermissen also said that Mignolet would also relish the competition for the No 1 shirt.
He said: "I know the qualities of Simon and he can cope with any competition, it is no problem."
Mignolet hopes his next move will help him win the No.1 slot for the international side.
He is in competition for that jersey with Thibaut Courtois, who is on loan at Atletico Madrid from Chelsea.
A move to Liverpool would not mean European football, but Vandermissen does not see that as a problem.
He said: "When you play Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal every week, this is European football, so what is the problem?"
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