Liverpool’s Pepe Reina remains focused on the World Cup despite uncertain club future

Pepe Reina

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina has revealed that he is focused solely on Spain’s World Cup campaign, despite facing an uncertain future at club level next season.

The 31-year-old spent last season on loan at Serie A side Napoli under former Merseyside boss Rafael Benitez and is widely expected to depart in the summer.

Once a fans favourite, the Spaniard left Anfield in acrimonious circumstances last summer after manager Brendan Rodgers signed Simon Mignolet from Sunderland for £9 million and installed him as first choice at the club.

Reina was believed to have been hoping Barcelona would try to sign him, only for the move to fail to materialise, leaving him in the lurch, having burnt several bridges at Liverpool.

Now a part of Spain’s World Cup squad, following a string of impressive performances in Italy, Rein is adamant speculation regarding his future will not affect him and he is willing to wait until after the conclusion of the tournament in Brazil before his thoughts return to his club football.

“Right now I am just thinking about the national team. With regards to a new club, first I’ll have to talk with Liverpool.

“There’s been nothing from Barcelona. They have only just bought (Marc-Andre) Ter Stegen so that position is filled. And I haven’t been in contact with Atletico Madrid. Anyway, I’m sure there’ll be desperate to keep hold of (Thibaut) Courtois,” he revealed.

Reina is not expected to be first choice for Vicente del Bosque during Spain’s pursuit of a second World Cup victory and is set for a place on the bench behind stalwart Iker Casillas.

Pepe Reina kept 10 clean sheets in 30 appearances for Napoli in Serie A last season.