Reina dismisses zonal critics

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The Merseysiders' 14-month, 32-game unbeaten home record in all competitions was shattered by Chelsea's shock 3-1 Champions League quarter-final first-leg victory at Anfield, with Branislav Ivanovic causing the majority of the damage heading home twice from set-pieces.

Reina said: "It is always the same when we concede goals from free-kicks - people start talking about man-marking and zonal. But we have done it for five years and, although I don't have the statistics, I know we are one of the teams that conceded fewest from set-pieces over that time."

Now Liverpool must produce a recovery of Istanbul proportions on Tuesday in the second leg at Stamford Bridge to stay in the competition.

And it is very clear that manager Rafael Benitez is not about to change a system that has served him well throughout his managerial career.

Benitez said: "When you see man-marking you see many goals conceded every week. We have not conceded too many goals this season from set-pieces or over the years, the system works and has been very effective for us.

"It is not the system. It is the mistakes that were made by players. If you analyse Chelsea, they have Drogba, Terry, Alex, Ballack, Essien, Ivanovic - it is very difficult to stop all of them at set-pieces.

"They are all very tall, and if you make a mistake you are punished.

"This system has worked very well - just look at how many goals we conceded from set plays in my time, it is as good as if not better than most teams.

"But what was wrong was that players were not aware of what was going on around them. If you allow a player to run free like that, it is very hard to control all the zones, that was the big mistake."