Reina: Style can bring success

Pepe Reina believes the stylish manner of Liverpool's 3-0 victory over FC Gomel on Thursday night could be a sign of things to come – but stressed it will take time for Brendan Rodgers to fully implement his footballing philosophies at Anfield.

The Reds impressed as they swept aside their Belarusian opponents to progress into the Europa League play-offs courtesy of goals from Fabio Borini, Steven Gerrard and Glen Johnson.

And while Reina has only been back at Melwood a couple of weeks following his involvement at the European Championships with Spain, he feels he has seen enough to suggest Rodgers' style of play will reap success.

"It was a good night's work," he reflected to Liverpoolfc.com. "We kept a clean sheet and got the result, played well, got through, and I'm happy for the fans.

"It's always enjoyable for me when the team wins, especially when we keep a clean sheet. That's the way it should be in almost every game, especially at home.

"It's coming along little by little. We have to be patient. It will take time - it's not a four-week project. We want to create our own style of play and that will take a little longer than four weeks.

"All we ask from the people is to be patient and have trust in the team because I think we are going to come good."

On a night of many positives for Liverpool, summer signing Borini marked his Anfield debut with a fine goal to put the team on their way to victory and leave Reina suitably impressed.

"It was a great strike - he finished it very well," said the Spaniard.

"He was clever. He had some really good moments throughout the game and he should be happy with his performance."

The Gomel clash was Reina's first appearance for Liverpool since Rodgers was installed as manager in June.

The custodian was afforded an extended break after Spain triumphed at Euro 2012, but he insists he's happy to be back between the sticks at Anfield.

He said: "I'm always happy to come back. It's been a busy summer - a happy, but busy summer - but it's great to be back.

"I'm looking forward to the start of the season and hopefully we can continue to keep getting positive results at Anfield."

Reina will be aiming to get some more minutes under his belt before the start of the Barclays Premier League season when Liverpool play host to Bayer Leverkusen in a friendly contest on Sunday.

"It will be very tough, definitely," he predicted. "We have to be ready.

"They are a very organised team, but we will make sure we are well prepared for Sunday and hopefully it will be the same (result as Gomel)."