Reina's Everton mission

Pepe Reina believes Merseyside derby success can be the catalyst to getting the Kenny Dalglish reign up and running.

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Just over a week on from returning to the helm, the iconic Scot takes charge of his first Anfield game against Everton on Sunday on what is sure to be an afternoon to savour in front of the Kop.

Reina has revealed Dalglish has instructed the squad to play with more confidence and self assurance and feels there is no better way for Liverpool to get back on track than securing a morale-boosting success over their city rivals.

The Spaniard told Liverpoolfc.tv: "It can be a turning point in the season. What better game to do it in than the derby? For the supporters and for us, it is a massive one and I hope the season will turnaround from Sunday onwards.

"I think the supporters will be more excited than ever because of Kenny, the situation of the team and because it is a derby and we need the three points desperately. We need to have them behind us. I'm sure we will, but they have to be conscious that now is the time to get the famous Kop and Anfield behind us because we definitely need them more than any other game.

"All of the lads know it is a massive game. If you ask any fan of Everton or Liverpool to tell you the only game they want to win, it is always Everton away or Liverpool away. We know what it means to the fans.

"Both of the teams need the three points because the situation is not good for either of us. If we win and can keep the momentum going, it can be good."

Click the image below to watch our chat with Pepe

Liverpool head into the game on the back of a disappointing 2-1 defeat at Blackpool on Wednesday evening - and Reina insists the squad are under no illusions results must improve.

He said: "We need to improve and we need to do better. We're getting into Kenny's ideas and I think the team will improve. I have confidence it will.

"Kenny has told us to trust ourselves, to trust each other and to try and train harder and be more positive. He knows a lack of confidence is there and we need a couple of positive results, but by doing a great job in our training sessions we will get them.

"He has spoken to all of us together about where we have to improve as a team, told us to stay together and more compact than ever, to try to trust each other and have confidence things will turn around."

Everton will be without Tim Cahill for the short trip across Stanley Park with the Aussie currently on Asian Cup duty.

However, Liverpool are minus derby stalwarts Steven Gerrard (suspended) and Jamie Carragher (injured).

Reina said: "Cahill's a great player and it's good for us in this case that he's involved in the Asian Cup and won't be on the park.

"But we have to worry about ourselves and when Stevie and Carra are missing, we are a bit weaker. The players know what the game means and all of us will be ready for Sunday.

"As with almost every single game in the Premier League, the small details will make the difference. We have to make sure the tempo is really high. The beginning of the game is such an important period and we have to be really focused and, if we can, get on top of them."

In the absence of Carragher and Gerrard, Reina could be handed the captain's armband by Dalglish.

"It would be a proud honour," he considered. "With Mikel Arteta captaining Everton as well, it will be fun and a great picture of both of us together before kick-off.

"Whenever you are wearing the Liverpool armband, it is a pleasure, honour and a privilege."