Pepe Reina rules out Liverpool return after “Successful” Napoli loan

Pepe Reina

Napoli goalkeeper Pepe Reina says he will leave Liverpool next summer on a permanent transfer after declaring his loan spell a ‘success’.

The Spaniard rejoined his former manager Rafael Benitez on loan in Naples after Liverpool deemed him surplus to requirements after the arrival of Belgian goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.

Continually linked with a return to Barcelona, his first club, Reina insists that he will not be playing another season for the Reds once his loan spell is over.

“I did not expect to change and to come to Napoli,” Reina told Cadena Cope. “It was a surprise for me when Liverpool signed a new goalkeeper in the summer.

“My wife was the first to encourage me to move and now I’m very proud and grateful for that decision. I think it has been an absolute success and that I’m a stronger goalkeeper than last year.

“I have been at Liverpool for a long time. But now I am happy here in Naples. I have a fresh outlook on the game and have been playing some of my best stuff. We are having a great championship.

“Am I surprised? Yes. The city is different from Liverpool, people do not respect your privacy, but they show their affection.

“We have a new coach, a new style and new players. I am happy at the moment, but I would be even happier if we won the league, Coppa Italia and Champions League.

“It’s very difficult that I’ll return to Liverpool. In the summer I will have to finish my contract with them.”

Reina has made on average 1.64 saves per game in Serie A this season, helping Napoli keep five clean sheets in 11 appearances.