PEPE REINA is unlikely to be involved when Liverpool embark on their FA Cup trail at Preston North End tonight, but he is keen to be there at the end.
In keeping with Rafael Benitez's policy of giving his second-choice goalkeeper playing time in the early rounds of the domestic cup competitions, Brazilian Diego Cavalieri is expected to line-up at Deepdale in the third-round tie.
But Reina is hoping his team-mates can see off Alan Irvine's Championship side and keep his dream of playing at the new Wembley alive.
The Spanish shot-stopper, who is closing in on a century of clean sheets during his time at Anfield, was the hero the last time Benitez's side lifted the FA Cup three years ago.
Reina's heroics in extra-time and in the penalty shoot-out enabled Liverpool to beat West Ham at the Millennium Stadium in 2006.
The 26-year-old is hoping Liverpool can go all the way again this time and give him the chance to recreate that day on 30 May at the new Wembley.
'I can't wait to play at the new Wembley,' he said. 'It is a great stadium and I want to play a final there as soon as possible. Let's hope we can do it in this season's FA Cup.
Passion and honour
'It's always difficult to go and face a lower division side on its own ground.
'We know it is difficult to play against Preston because they will be fighting with passion and honour.
'They want to beat us and produce a shock but we must match that and have the same mentality to win.
'Our target at the start of the season was to try and win any competition we are in and the FA Cup is one of them. I have good memories from it and it would be nice to win it again.'
While Reina would love to play at Preston tonight, he understands Benitez's rotation policy.
'I never want a rest,' said the Spain international. 'Obviously I want to be involved in every minute of every game, but I understand Diego deserves a chance as well.
'He has played in the League Cup and it is a good opportunity for him to show what he can do.
'He's a great signing. He's a young, good goalkeeper and works hard.
'He is a good team-mate and good back-up and, in time, he will fight for the No.1 spot.'
Right now, that coveted spot belongs to Reina, a player Benitez hails as the best goalkeeper in the Premier League.
Reina is only seven shy of recording a century of clean sheets, having already taken less time to reach 50 shut-outs than any goalkeeper in the club's illustrious history.
The 26-year-old has won the Premier League Golden Gloves award for the most clean sheets in all three previous seasons since his £6 million ($12.2m) arrival from Villarreal in 2005.
Reina and Chelsea's Petr Cech have both kept 11 clean sheets this season, the highest figure in the top flight.
And Liverpool manager Benitez believes Reina has now surpassed Cech as the No.1 in English football.
'In the first year we signed him we had 82 points, with a lot of clean sheets, and that made a difference and gave the defenders massive confidence,' said Benitez.
'He's getting better each season.
'He has a very, very good mentality and is very positive.
'Diego Cavalieri is a good goalkeeper, but Reina has a lot of confidence because he's been here a long time.
'His style of football is very good for any league, but especially the Premier League because you need to be physical.
'The ball's in the air a lot. He's good in his six-yard box but also outside it.
'I'd say he is the best goalkeeper in the Premier League and also in Spain.
'He's very, very important for us, not just because he's a good goalkeeper but also because of his mentality.'
- Wire Services.
