Pepe: Points over performance

Pepe Reina insists points rather than performance will be all that matters when Liverpool go head-to-head with Everton at Anfield on Saturday.

The Blues cross Stanley Park this weekend aiming to bring Rafael Benitez's side's six-match unbeaten Barclays Premier League run to an end.

With crunch clashes against Arsenal and Manchester City also to follow the 213^th Merseyside derby, February will provide a stern test of the Reds' top four aspirations.

However, Reina is adamant Liverpool are focused solely on securing three points against the Blues.

"It is a big match and we know that but we play at home once again and we know the supporters will be right behind us," said the stopper.

"Our target is to beat Everton, that is the only one at the moment.

"We cannot think any further ahead than that because we are not in the same situation as last season when we were fighting for the title.

"At the moment, to prevent more pressure on us than we already have, we have to keep winning and stay focused on the next game only.

"You can talk about improving and this and that, but at the end of the day you have to win.

"It doesn't matter about how you play, it is all about winning."

Reina is expected to start his 12^th derby clash on Saturday and admits he will try to lead by example in the red-hot atmosphere.

"I try to take responsibility. I have been here for five years already and I know how the club works and what people expect from us," he added.

"The senior players like Stevie, Jamie Carragher, Dirk Kuyt, me and Javier Mascherano know we have to act by example and be the first ones to stick together."