There has been much speculation about the Spain goalkeeper, with reports suggesting he was likely to be next big star out of the door after compatriot Fernando Torres' departure to Chelsea in January. It seemed an entirely possible outcome during the turbulent six-month tenure of Roy Hodgson, during which time the 28-year-old admitted he feared the club's form was so bad they would not even be contending for a European place at the end of the season. However, the remarkable turnaround under Dalglish, plus the renewed optimism provided by Fenway Sports Group's sanctioning of the signings of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez with the £50million proceeds of the Torres sale - and the promise of more to come - has given Reina a different perspective. Now he is looking forward to the rebuilding of the squad as they bid to regain their Champions League status and ultimately become Premier League title challengers again. Reina was one of the senior players who, prior to FSG's purchase of the club, publicly called for significant investment in the playing staff. Under previous owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett that was merely a pipe dream but it seems Reina will now get his wish and that may be all that is required to quash talk of a summer exit. "I definitely could not see (Europe) it five or six months ago," said the goalkeeper. "But we kept fighting and turned the situation around. Now we need to do more to be even higher. "It is down to all of us. Kenny Dalglish, Steve Clarke (the coach appointed when Dalglish took over), Sammy Lee (assistant manager) and all the staff have done a great job from January onwards. "I think we want to grow and we have to grow. The owners and the people in command of the 'boat' see we have to bring in some players. "We have to be right in those transfers and the players that we already have can be important for the new project. "I'm very optimistic and I believe we are going to be better." Reina cut an unhappy figure under Hodgson, as did many of his team-mates, as he was asked to change the style which had made him one of the world's top goalkeepers. It also did not help that the team was performing so badly he was almost constantly on alert. During Hodgson's 20 matches in the Premier League he kept just six clean sheets, under Dalglish he already has seven in 14. The improvement under Dalglish has been marked throughout the whole team and Reina admits they are enjoying their football again. "When the results are better and the team is winning people are happier and the mood in the dressing room is always better," he added. "Melwood (training ground) is a happy place. When we have to work we are the first to do it and when it is time to joke, we like to joke and have fun too. "You can see that the fans are much more optimistic now. The team is playing better and that is easier for them. "We have always felt their support though because they are so loyal. It is always great to have this kind of support." Reina will look to make it three shut-outs in four league matches when Newcastle visit Anfield on Sunday. The Reds still have a chance of securing Europa League qualification but they have to maintain the pressure on fifth-placed Tottenham. "We have to take it one game at a time. We have to make sure that we don't drop points at home because we also have Tottenham to come here," he said. "Our home form has been key and it is important if you want to be up there. "Just look at Man United's results at home. They say everything about why they are up there so we have to be like that if we want to challenge at the top. "We have to try to win all of our games and after we will see. "I believe if we win them all we will be in the fifth position and that is probably the closest and most important target."
