Faith in Liverpool restored by owners says Jose Reina

Jose Reina has pointed to the stability provided by the owners (GETTY IMAGES)

Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina believes the air of stability brought to Anfield by Fenway Sports Group restored his faith in the club.

The Spain international was close to quitting after Arsenal lodged a £20million bid in the summer of 2010.

Then owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett put a block on any transfer not, according to Reina, because they did not want him to leave but because they were concerned what message it would send out to any potential buyers they were looking to sell the club to.

In the end the decision over the future of the club was taken out of the American pair's hands when it was sold to FSG in the face of the club going into administration.

The turnaround since October last year has been remarkable with FSG backing manager Kenny Dalglish in the transfer market and performances and confidence taking an upwards turn.

Reina's autobiography covers the period in some detail but he admits it was not an easy thing to write.

"All the stuff about the club being threatened with administration - those were the most difficult bits," he said at the launch of Pepe: My Autobiography.

"It was a pretty tough moment for everyone, not just me.

"Everyone at Melwood, Anfield and around Liverpool were not very happy with the club, team and the performances.

"They were tough moments but once again I knew a club like Liverpool was not going to be sitting waiting for it to go into administration and fortunately we found good owners and the stability came back."

Dalglish's team are within touching distance of the top four now and most of the raft of signings he brought in - nine in total - since taking over in January are starting to put in performances of note.

The Scot will not, however, consider for one minute that the hard work has been done.

"It is nice people speak glowingly about the players as individuals and their partnerships but we cannot get carried away with it," he said.

"We have to make sure we continue to do what we do very well and show the same attitude and commitment that we have this season - we cannot afford to let it slip."

PA