Pepe: Let's end four-year wait

Pepe Reina believes the incentive of ending Liverpool's four-year wait for silverware can inspire the Reds in their Europa League quarter-final, second leg clash with Benfica on Thursday.

Rafael Benitez's contingent will look to overturn a 2-1 deficit from last week's first meeting with the Portuguese giants and book a place in the last four when the two sides go head-to-head at Anfield.

Reina candidly acknowledges Liverpool have underperformed in 2009-10, however the goalkeeper insists there is a collective desire at Melwood to put a silver lining on an up and down campaign come May.

"This is the only trophy we can lift this season," said the custodian. "It is massively important. All the players here want to lift silverware and this is our last chance to do that.

"To win a trophy is always good. We, the players, are the first ones who know that the season hasn't been great. It hasn't been good enough. We should have done better.

"But as long as we have that opportunity to lift a trophy, it is always important for a club and it is for the players. Now it is up to us to lift it up and we have to be persistent.

"No matter what an individual does, it is all about the team. If you play well as an individual, it doesn't make a difference if the team has not performed.

"It was always going to be difficult to repeat the 86 points, as that was a massive achievement and the league was always going to be tougher. But we have had one bad season.

"English football is not easy. We were so close last season, that's why we have been so disappointed with how things have gone this season."

With Emiliano Insua and Ryan Babel suspended, Maxi Rodriguez ineligible and Fabio Aurelio, Martin Skrtel and Martin Kelly injured, Rafael Benitez will face something of a selection dilemma tomorrow.

However, while Reina is well aware Liverpool's task of eliminating Benfica will be a tough one, he is confident home advantage can play a part in helping spur the Reds on to another memorable European occasion at Anfield.

"I hope we will be able to keep another clean sheet and turn the result around," he said.

"I hope that I will have nothing to do but I don't think that will be the case.

"We know it is going to be tough but there have been many times in the past when it has been tough and we have been able to manage.

"With Anfield behind us and the supporters ready from the beginning, showing desire, passion and commitment, the effort will be 100 per cent. There is absolutely no doubt about that."

source : lfc.tv