Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina admits he was ‘poor’ against West Ham & wants to learn from mistakes

Pepe Reina, Liverpool (Getty Images)

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Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina admits he must keep learning from mistakes after being unhappy with his performance in the loss to West Ham on Sunday.

The Reds travelled to Upton Park to take on the relegation strugglers, but were shocked in east London as the home side took a two-goal lead before half-time. And a later goal from Glen Johnson only proved to be a consolation as Avram Grant’s charges eventually won 3-1.

Reina, who had conceded just one goal in his last six appearances heading into the match against the Hammers, admits he was “poor”.

“Keeping those clean sheets was about not making mistakes, first of all,” he told the club’s official website.

“I did a couple of them on Sunday and I felt really disappointed with my performance individually.

“I won’t hide behind any team-mates – I was poor and I have to recognise this and keep learning from the mistakes.”

The 28-year-old also expressed his delight at how the appointment of manager Kenny Dalglish has breathed a new sense of life into the Merseyside outfit.

“He was a great footballer for this football club,” said the former Villarreal shot-stopper. “He knows exactly what the people are thinking in each moment and that’s what he tries to explain to us.

“His comments about football are always about the philosophy of Liverpool and how when we face any rival it depends on us. He tells us to trust ourselves and to be positive at all times so the people are with us.”

After handing the reins to Dalglish, the club also brought in Steve Clarke as the first-team coach.

Reina added: “Training is realistic and you find that what you’ve prepared during the week is what happens on a Sunday. That’s important. We are prepared.”

Team-mate Andy Carroll is believed to have finally begun full training, after his injury sustained at former club Newcastle United.

The shot-stopper believes that when the young hitman is back, he will light up the stage like he did during the Reds’ loss at St James’ Park earlier in the season.

“I hope it turns out like we all think it will. He’s a great player, a top striker and he will score a lot of goals for Liverpool,” Reina said.

“He has that physical condition. He is massive as a unit and a tough bloke to deal with. I know from my own experience how difficult it is to face these kinds of opponents.”