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Liverpool boss Benitez backs Reina to create more goals

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is expecting goalkeeper Pepe Reina to make more assists as he improves his distribution.

The Reds boss wasn't at all surprised to see his Spanish stopper set up Fernando Torres for the opener on Saturday - because he sees it every day in training.

Benitez claims such skills are the hallmark of a truly world-class number one.

He told liverpoolfc.tv: "Reina is a goalkeeper with real game intelligence. He can read the game and play the kind of balls he delivered to Torres. He can play these passes to strikers if strikers move for the ball.

"A modern goalkeeper needs to be able to read the game like this. That is the difference.

"You can save 100 balls, but if you don't do something more you will be a good goalkeeper - not a top class goalkeeper."

It's not just the manager who's impressed with our record-breaking keeper's antics.

Skipper Steven Gerrard, who bagged Liverpool's second against Fulham from the spot, added: "He doesn't just kick it upfield and give us 50-50 balls. He passes it out from the back. He's a quality goalie."

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