Biggest game of my life - Reina
May 2 2006
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo
PEPE REINA admits he is already counting the days to 'the most important game' of his career in the FA Cup final.
With Liverpool defensive records tumbling, and more history in his sights over the next fortnight, Reina has fitted into the goalkeeper's jersey with comfort since his £7m arrival from Villarreal.
The Spanish keeper says equalling a club record 34th clean sheet is on his mind, but he'll willingly swop that honour for an FA Cup winners' medal..
"The clean sheet record is still one of the targets we have, but the most important thing is victory," said Reina.
"We have two more games left to do it. Next week is important, but the FA Cup final will be one of the most important games I've ever played.
"It's normal my team mates and I are already thinking about the final, but there's still a game left which we must try to win.
"It's difficult to think about the Portsmouth game when you know even if you win it's going to be very difficult to finish second.
"We are close to United, but we have to be realistic. They will play at home and we know how strong they are at Old Trafford. We must still try to beat Portsmouth, and then from Sunday night we can concentrate only on the final.
"People have said to me how winning the FA Cup in England is celebrated just like a Premiership title.
"I've also been told all about the stadium and the crowd numbers, and how our supporters will be.
"If we can win it, we can say we've had a great season."
Reina added the players are also determined to ease Luis Garcia's agony, by finishing the job his semi-final winner over Chelsea has made possible.
"It's hard for us to lose Luis because he is such an important player, but he knows he made a mis-take which can happen in football," said Reina.
"We must cope without him, but we also know it's thanks to Luis we're in the final because of the goal he scored against Chelsea."
