Spot-kick king Pepe cuts the odds for Liverpool

Bruce Grobbelaar and Jerzy Dudek both gained automatic entry into Anfield folklore for their European Cup final heroics in 1984 and 2005, but neither can rival Reina's incredible record of success in a high-pressure setting that is meant to be loaded against the keeper.

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In his final season at Villarreal, he saved seven out of nine spot-kicks and the ratio has shown no sign of faltering since he completed a £6million switch to Anfield two years ago, just after Dudek's own moment of triumph in Istanbul.

Three flying stops broke West Ham hearts in last season's FA Cup Final in Cardiff and when it came to a duel at 12 paces for a place in tonight's Champions League Final, Reina's reflexes again proved decisive.

Little wonder Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso admitted, ahead of their Athens rematch with AC Milan, that 'we won't be too upset' if Europe's most prized club trophy is once more settled by the nerve-shredding process of a shoot-out.

Yet while his team-mates can hardly contain their admiration for his near-invincibility from 12 yards, Reina comes across as a reluctant hero. Saving penalties may be one thing; savouring them, it seems, is another.

"I remember watching the Istanbul final and jumping up and down when Jerzy made those saves at the end," said the 24-year-old. "I think all of Europe was delighted for him and, in that moment, he became an Anfield legend.

"That is what it can do for you when so much is riding on the outcome, but I honestly hope it doesn't happen in Athens. If I can do my job properly and we win inside 90 minutes, it will be perfect.

"Someone else can have the headlines this time. I would much prefer a straightforward win without extra time, never mind penalties.

"If it does go to a shoot-out, I will study their players and take in as much as I can. There are so many factors that can influence what happens.

"Against Chelsea, it helped that we won 1-0 on the night. We went into penalties feeling calm and the more we converted ours and the crowd turned up the volume, the better it got.

"You can gather information about players, but a lot comes down to luck and how you feel on the night. People keep going on about my record, but I would rather not dwell on it.

"Maybe it has made me more famous, but I don't want people looking back on my career and just saying, 'Oh yeah, he was good at penalties'. It takes a lot more than that to be a top keeper and I'd like to be recognised for having other attributes. I want to be the complete keeper, good at everything."

Dudek adopted Grobbelaar's 'spaghetti legs' tactic for putting off penalty-takers in Istanbul, on the orders of Jamie Carragher, but Reina is ready to stick to his more orthodox approach should the scores still be tied after two hours.

"I'm sure Jerzy and I will have a long chat about penalties, because it is essential you cover every eventuality," he said. "Any tips will be gratefully received, but I'm not sure about the spaghetti legs. I know it worked for him and Grobbelaar, but I might have to pass on that one."

Reina will be cheered on by his father Miguel, who was beaten by a long-range effort from Bayern Munich defender Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck as Atletico Madrid were pegged back in the last minute of extra time in the 1974 final before being thrashed 4-0 in the replay.

"He gets nervous watching me play but he couldn't miss a game like this," said Reina. "I don't think he could stand penalties, but he has told me he is confident about the outcome.

"After what happened 33 years ago, I think the European Cup owes the Reina family. Luck was against us in that one and if there's any justice, we should finish with a winner's medal."

Danger man Kaka is relishing the chance to send Liverpool the same way as semi-final victims Manchester United but sounded a note of caution for his Milan team-mates.

"The second leg against United was one of my best in a Milan shirt and it was a joy to win and influence the outcome," he said. "But United play less of an English game, with more passing and speed.

"Liverpool are always spot-on with their tactics and no one needs reminding about their European pedigree. It will be a different challenge and they will have to be respected."