Roy Hodgson Says Pepe Reina's Not For Sale

Roy Hodgson has announced that goalkeeper Pepe Reina is not for sale.

Early this week Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson was rumoured to be interested in bringing the Spaniard to Old Trafford in the new year

However Hodgson highlighted the player's importance at the club and insisted that they have not intention of letting him go.

Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Hodgson said: "If Ferguson is looking around and has lots of money, he might want Pepe Reina because he is the best around.

"But we do not want to sell him. He is a lifeblood of this team.

"We have heard nothing from Manchester United and, more to the point, we don't want to hear anything from Manchester United.

"It was just one of those stories that seems to occur - it's just disappointing and annoying. Pepe is fantastic here.

"Everything he does around the club is excellent - he is always lively in the dressing room, he is always first class in training and he always wants to do more to improve.

"He demands better from those around him, he is always pushing people on. He is a player who we hold in the highest esteem."

Reina joined the club in the summer of 2005 and has been a permanent fixture in goal for the club. He signed a new six year contract back in April but since then Liverpool have failed to qualify for the Champions League and made a poor start to the new season.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw