Benitez: Reina sets perfect example

London: Rafael Benitez has cited goalkeeper Pepe Reina as an example he hopes the rest of his Liverpool players will follow, after the Spanish international revealed he was "very close" to agreeing a long-term deal tying him to Anfield for the prime of his career.

On and off the pitch, Liverpool's fate hangs in the balance. Should owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett fail to attract fresh investment to pay down their £237 million (Dh1.3 billion) debt to the Royal Bank of Scotland, the prospect of enticing the substantial reinforcements needed to challenge for the Premier League title is remote, while Benitez and his side, eliminated from the Champions League early this year, may not even take part in the competition next season.

Such doubt has led to intense speculation over the future of many of Liverpool's most valuable assets, not least Fernando Torres, who admitted last weekend it was vital that "the club makes an effort" to bolster the playing staff in the summer to avoid following one disappointing season with another. But Benitez believes Reina's desire to sign a new contract in the next month or so is proof that one campaign mired in disappointment and despair should not be allowed to determine the future of the club.

"It is important to show that commitment," said Benitez, speaking ahead of his side's Europa League last-16 clash with Lille. "Maybe it will be an example for the rest of the players. We know how important he is and what a great goalkeeper he is, but maybe some others will not see until he is gone. He is very happy, his family is very happy and he is settled. He is a great character, he loves the fans and they love him, so everything is good for him.

"One bad season, although it is really disappointing, is not the main thing. One good or bad year does not make the difference. You have to see the big picture."

That picture remains a bleak one, despite the fillip of securing Reina's future. Even if Liverpool succeed in overturning their 1-0 defeat in last week's first leg in Lille, even if they reach the final in Hamburg in May and even if they see off the challenge of Tottenham, Aston Villa and Manchester City to retain their place at Europe's top table, they face a summer of tough decisions.

Major signings

Prime among them will be Benitez's future, followed closely by bringing in the "four or five" major signings Torres believes they need to compete once more with Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal. "My own position is not the issue," Benitez said. "I do not need to say anything about that. It is not about whether we win or lose over one season, it is about having the consistency over how we do things.

"The most important thing is the future of the club. I have a very good vision of that, but for now the responsibility is just the next game. My motivation is to win trophies, and I want to be contenders in every competition, and to do that we have to stick together."