LIVERPOOL - Liverpool prepare for a return to Champions League action knowing that goalkeeper Jose Reina is in the form of his life.
The Spanish international achieved his fifth clean sheet of the season in Saturday's 1-0 win over Wigan - equalling a 30-year-old club record for the best defensive start to the season.
And with Liverpool now awaiting the arrival of Marseille and former player Djibril Cisse for Tuesday's Champions League group match at Anfield, such solidity is a massive boost for manager Rafael Benitez.
Liverpool, unbeaten this season in all competitions, need to build on their fortunate 1-1 draw at Porto last month to put themselves on track for qualification from the group stages, with Benitez believing 10 points should do it.
And with Reina in such fine form, Liverpool can approach the clash with the French side with confidence.
The Spanish stopper has yet to concede a goal from open play this season and, in keeping a clean sheet at the JJB Stadium on Saturday, Liverpool equalled their record set in 1977.
Reina said: "We are very proud of that record, but we all defend together so it's everyone's record.
"We have only conceded from penalties so far, which is important. It is something we can be proud of but we must keep working in that way.
"The defence has changed a lot as well as the other departments of the team.
"Steve Finnan and Arbeloa have played on the right, Riise, Arbeloa and Aurelio on the left, with Daniel Agger and Sami Hyypia in the centre.
"All of the players in our squad are good enough to play the same level and that's important for us."
He added: "We know that to win the most important thing is to keep clean sheets. Then we have possibilities to score with the quality of players we have here.
"To win away in these type of games permits you to fight for the title and be real contenders.
"But our mentality is to win game after game, not think about the target of the title. But, of course, it's there in our minds.
"Our mentality should be to go week by week and win every game."
