• Liverpool goalkeeper says ‘there is concern’ stars may leave club • ‘Without them it would be really tough to be up at the top’ Pepe Reina broke off from the Spanish inquisition into their improbable defeat to Switzerland to express his concerns that Liverpool could regress even further if Rafael Benítez’s departure as manager is followed by either Fernando Torres or Steven Gerrard leaving Anfield. While Reina has committed himself to the club, signing a six-year contract in April, the goalkeeper is acutely aware that when he begins next season at Liverpool there are no guarantees Gerrard or Torres will be there. The two most important players at Anfield are both giving serious consideration to their future because of the problems afflicting the club, most notably the ownership of Tom Hicks and George Gillett and the lack of transfer funds to improve a squad that may need major restoration work if they are to improve significantly next season. Liverpool finished seventh last season, 23 points behind the champions, Chelsea. With no manager in line to replace Benítez and no sense that a takeover is close, Reina’s fear is that Torres and Gerrard may also sever their ties with the club. “Of course there is concern about Fernando and Stevie,” he said. “Not just them, but others, too. Any team would count on Stevie and Fernando as big names and, for us, it’s the same. Without them, it would be really tough to be up there at the top next season.” Those concerns have been compounded by the news that Yossi Benayoun, one of Liverpool’s more creative players, is on the verge of moving to Chelsea while Javier Mascherano could conceivably link up again with Benítez at Internazionale. Torres has been prominently linked with Chelsea and Manchester City, both of whom have resurrected their interest since Benítez left Anfield, whereas Gerrard is reputedly among José Mourinho’s targets at Real Madrid and has resisted the opportunity to distance himself from all the talk of a possible move, saying he will not talk about his future until after the World Cup. Torres has spoken of Liverpool needing to be powerful movers in the transfer market this summer and Reina believes it is crucial that the club’s ownership issues are settled quickly. “Fingers crossed, once we sort out the situation with the manager and the owners, which we hope is soon, hopefully we can focus on building a squad for the future,” he said. “We are all on the same boat and we want to redecorate the ship. We want to be a lot stronger, more consistent and create and build a proper squad to be contenders for the title once again.” Reina, like Torres, had a strong working relationship with Benítez, but Iker Casillas’s understudy as Spain’s goalkeeper said he had come to terms with recent events. “I’ve had time to think about it and I guess it’s one of those things. Football is football, it happens, and I always say the same thing – Liverpool will remain forever; which is the most important thing.” Liverpool Steven Gerrard Fernando Torres Transfer window Daniel Taylor guardian.co.uk
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Pepe Reina fears Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard may quit Liverpool
