Reina: No doubt we've improved

Pepe Reina is adamant that Liverpool have improved this season. The Spanish custodian knows that qualifying for the Champions League was a target when the Reds embarked on 2011-12 - but he claims reaching two cup finals is proof that the club and the squad is evolving. Reina told LFC magazine: "There is no doubt that we have improved from last season already. "Last season we finished seventh and that is still possible even though we would have liked to finish higher. "We have still won one trophy with the possibility of a second while also qualifying for Europe. "The target for the club is still to get back in the Champions League but before the beginning of the season, if someone said we'd win the Carling Cup and reach the final of the FA Cup with a chance of winning that as well, probably most people would have taken that." Reina has collected World Cup and European Championship medals with Spain, as well as an FA Cup honour with the Reds. Though the Carling Cup does not have the prestige of these trophies, Reina still considers victory in the competition a very proud moment. "Some people might say that the Carling Cup is not that important but it is a trophy," said the 29-year-old. "We knocked out Stoke, Chelsea and Manchester City - important and difficult teams. It was not easy. "So it was a well deserved success and I was pleased to be a part of it."