Step up Captain Reina

[JD]

Been discussed on here in the past but I'd say the odds on him being our next captain must be shortening by the day.

Either today's comments were just in praise of Pepe or a broadside fired at Gerrard and Carragher.  Either way - good to hear from Rafa.

“Pepe is the man closest to the fans on the pitch,” said Benitez. “He listens to what they are saying and he knows what they are thinking and you can see the passion he has in the way he plays and the way he directs things.

“He is a fantastic character and he is proud to be here. He has a strong mentality and you can see that in the way he is in the dressing room and around the training ground. He is someone who always wants the best for this team.

“I think he has been playing really well and we are pleased with him. He is a top goalkeeper and has broken a lot of records since we signed him from Villarreal. We are delighted he is with us.”

“Pepe will continue to get better,” said Benitez. “When you talk about goalkeepers who play for top teams, they don’t tend to have that much to do during games.

“What sets them apart is being able to make important saves after they have not been busy and we have seen Pepe do that lots of times.”

[LFC-Red]

Best keeper we've had for decades, fecking living legend IME.

[Adryan]

It's said that Pepe Reina is one of the contenders for the Golden Glove again? Heard he's tied at 12 with Petr Cech. Good stuff considering our dire season. Clearly shows the fact that we've been conceding too many goals in a single game and not conceding goals every game.

[CRK]

“Pepe is the man closest to the fans on the pitch,” said Benitez.

Is that a reference to him being a fan favourite or the fact that he stand very close to where the fans are sitting?

Good comments though. He is a future legend of this club and one of the best keepers in the world. I would be happy to have him as our captain. He would certainly know how to lead our players.

[InertObject]

We need some changes within in the club and team. This is one I'd welcome with open arms. Could only mean positive things for the club.

[RedStorm]

I know Stevie's been out of sorts this season, as injury hasn't helped either, you can't dump him just yet. If it happens, I think it'll be the straw that broke the camel's back, and he'll leave the club. I don't think his pride could handle a demotion like that.

His body language tells you that he has lost the hunger and desire and may be going through the motions, until the Summer where he may move to Inter, and if he does want to move, as sad as that'll be, we may as well cash in on him and rebuild the squad.
The inferior quality around him has dragged him to their level and he looks mighty unhappy and flat, which will never allow you to produce your best.

I think our negative and staid/sterile tactics also has sapped him of motivation.

I do think however, that a lot on this forum have been tearing strips off him and have been a touch harsh. Yes he is underperforming, but how soon we forget the unbelievable things he has done for thsi club over his career, and how many times did he pull us out of the fire when all looked lost.

He will be fondly remembered in the following years after retirement as one of our All-Time Greats, second only to the King. A little respect is in order.

After all that, I do think Pepe would make a fine Captain of the future. 

[Adryan]

Is that a reference to him being a fan favourite or the fact that he stand very close to where the fans are sitting?

Both, me thinks

[SM]

I dont agree with Pepe being made captain.

I think a captain should be an outfield player and if it wasnt Gerrard I would go for Mascherano at the moment.

Pepe is one of the best goalkeepers in the world without doubt but you dont have to wear the armband to be a captain on the pitch or in the dressing room.

A good team should have a number of leaders to inspire.

[racerx34]

If were talking about moving the armband then were talking about Stevie moving on and I still feel that much like Alonso after his season riddled with injuries next year could be Stevies best.

As for Reina or Masch I'd give the armband to Reina but not for another couple of years you bloodhounds

[Ross]

I really think Pepe would be a perfect captain.

Motivational and inspirational. You can see that he's a leader even now out on the pitch.

Only potential problem could be when he wants to discuss/ask the referee about decisions etc as he can't really come out of net.

[racerx34]

I really think Pepe would be a perfect captain.

Motivational and inspirational. You can see that he's a leader even now out on the pitch.

Only potential problem could be when he wants to discuss/ask the referee about decisions etc as he can't really come out of net.

This isn't rugby though so that wouldn't be a problem he could just send Skrtel and Kyrgiakos out to frighten refs

[fazza21]

Who would you rather lift the league title up, reina or gerrard?

Gerrard hasn't had his greatest season but that doesn't mean we should take his captaincy away from him just like that and hand it to our most consistent player in the 09-10 season. Even the best players and greatest captains in football sometimes have a poor season believe it or not, he is actually human.

Hes frustrated me this season and I actually said only days ago myself that maybe Masc should be given the armband because of Gerrards poor form, but to be honest, that was just a moment of madness and there is no other player in that team that I would want to lead the reds out other than Steven Gerrard.

I've heard this 'stevie isnt vocal enough' bollocks far too much. I used to sit on row 5 and still get those tickets quite alot and you can actually hear the players shouting on the pitch, and you can hear gerrard from miles away - all over the park, so he is vocal.

I've lost count of how many goals hes scored which have pulled us out of sh*t, or the drives he makes running forward with the ball which raises the crowd and the other players, or a crunch 50-50 tackle against a dirty horrible manc which will raise everybodys game too.

He's a fantastic captain and like I said, he should never be stripped from the armband whilst he is still a world class player.

Im actually suprised JD that this topic isnt 'Step up captain Lucas' with the way you praise him 24-7

[LFC-Red]

Give him the key to the city!

[ozi_wozzy]

I think Pepe should definitely be the next captain but as with some of the others, I think taking captaincy away from Stevie would be the wrong move.

Players like him never lose the passion for the club, regardless of form and he is an absolute natural leader. He is Mr Liverpool and LFC to the core. It's probably the same people who want captaincy removed from Stevie that also want Rafa removed. Knee jerk reactions.

One bad season should not cost a man his captaincy after 10 years of unbelievable service. A little patience goes a long way people.

Again, after all that, like RedStorm, I think Pepe will make a fine captain one day

[paulrobbo]

One of my favourite Liverpool players ever.

Think I'll be getting meself a keeper kit instead next season.

[Brian78]

Who would you rather lift the league title up, reina or gerrard?

Could give 2 shiney shites who lifts it mate just want someone to do it!!!

[sonicgeeza]

Could give 2 shiney shites who lifts it mate just want someone to do it!!!

Hear hear! If Stevie feels he needs to go somewhere else, then let's take the money and thank him for the memories (assuming we get to spend said money on players... but that's another topic). We have a ready made replacement leader in Pepe.

[dunlop liddell shankly]

Nobody has said in this thread that Stevie should lose the captaincy. But if he was then I'd be more than happy to see Pepe take the armband, he is one of the more voal, natural leaders on the pitch.

He's also another in a long line of lads from abroad who've adopted the Liverpool style.

[Tasonga]

I agree with most who says that we should give gerrard a chance. He deserves it but would be interesting to see his reaction if he was removed as captain.

Would he be as gracious as hyphia or will he request to leave the club?

[Shabs]

Pepe without doubt is the future captain,mascherano is too much of a hot head when it comes to ref's so reina for me,I think stevei and carra could learn alot from him lateley.

[clint_call01]

He is a world class keeper & he is the best player of the season & also he saved our name. But for me Mascherano is a better candidate for the captains band.

[fields of anny rd]

Lets blame Stevie cos he can hack it 

[eurored]

I agree with most who says that we should give gerrard a chance. He deserves it but would be interesting to see his reaction if he was removed as captain.

Would he be as gracious as hyphia or will he request to leave the club?

No mate.
Methinks the pressure of carrying the team through all of this would be taken off his shoulders for a while and let him get back to concentrating on his game rather than marshalling the rest of the lads for 90 minutes.

Stevies heart is L.F.C.  Hes not a Little Mickey O  or Harry the Oz.  He is a grown up.

[fields of anny rd]

I'll use the same terms people use when backing Rafa.

He was captain when we finsihed second, won the champions league and the FA cup, so common sense says he is the right man.

[bgwdivemaster]

Pepe for Captain?  Absolutely.  I love seeing how fired up he gets.  Definitely brings the inspiration to the pitch.

[Mohammad Abdullah]

I hope just for one match those players have his attitude, top player Pepe..

[AussieRed]

As much as I agree Pepe would be a fantastic Captain, for me personally, I'd hate to see Stevie stripped of the armband. The man has saved us from the sh*t countless times, he deserves to be the Captain of this club.

[7-King Kenny-7]

Reckon he'd be a much better skipper than Gerrard. Pepe never lets his head drop and always trying to get the players going. Could see against Wigan he was tying to get a quick long ball up field and set an attack up, just a shame no one else could be bothered to pull their head out of their arse'.

[the12thkopite]

a goalkeeper should never be a team captain. neither should a striker. it should always be a centre back or a midfielder or you have the wrong players in those positions if you cant pick one of them

[Reslivo]

a goalkeeper should never be a team captain. neither should a striker. it should always be a centre back or a midfielder or you have the wrong players in those positions if you cant pick one of them

Since when?

Look at Casillas, Buffon. Both great players playing for great teams.