Pepe Reina believes Liverpool must take greater risks if they are to end their quest for the Barclays Premier League crown.
The Reds finished as runners-up last season after drawing 11 of their 38 matches and the Spaniard feels they may have to accept defeat on a more regular basis if it means they can turn some of those draws into victories.

"People say we have lost as many games this season as we did in the whole of last season. But last season our biggest problem was drawing games," he told LFC Magazine.

"Those draws meant that we could have drawn the two games, went the season unbeaten in the league, but still not won it. I would rather have lost six of those 11 games and won the other five. Then we'd have finished level on points with United and maybe have won it on goal difference.

"People can point to defeats, but I feel it's draws that make it more difficult. One thing that became clear to everyone at the club before this season started was that we must take more risks if we want to win the league. Even if it means losing a few more games, particularly at home.

"In the short-term that may disappoint a few people but in the long term, it's better to cut out the draws.

"In a league where there is three points for a win, for teams trying to win the title, it's definitely draws that make it more difficult."

Liverpool Reserves claimed their first success of the Barclays Premier Reserve League North season with a comfortable 3-1 win over Bolton Wanderers on Wednesday night.
A first-half strike from Gerardo Bruna, a bizarre goal from substitute Jordy Brouwer and a late third from Alex Kacaniklic secured the three points for John McMahon's men as they got life at their new Prenton Park home off to a winning start.

Adam Blakeman did pull one back for the Trotters on the hour mark but it was not enough to deny the home side, who provided the perfect response to last week's opening day defeat at Blackburn Rovers.

Ahead of the clash, McMahon opted to give a debut to French teenager Chris Mavinga and all eyes were trained on the former Paris Saint German starlet as he kicked off his Liverpool career alongside Daniel Ayala at the heart of the defence.

However, it was a familiar face in the form of Bruna who stole the show in the early exchanges, firing a seventh minute shot well wide, before he brought some much-needed cheer to the spectators that had braved the rain by giving the Reds the lead on 15 minutes.

Nikola Saric was tripped on the edge of the visitors' penalty area, allowing the Argentina-born playmaker to step up and crash a deflected effort beyond the dive of Adam Bogdan.

A head injury to Trotters defender Joe Riley then forced a lengthy stoppage in play that did little to help the flow of the game, with the adverse weather conditions also hindering the hosts' attempts to play attacking football to feet.

When the contest finally resumed Rhys Bennett headed a rare Bolton chance over the top from a left wing corner on 25 minutes before Stephen Irwin cut in from the left and scuffed a low 20 yarder that was easily gathered by Bogdan.

With half-time approaching the downpour of torrential rain subsided, sparking an instant improvement in the quality of football, with Liverpool creating a sudden raft of chances.

On 35 minutes Irwin and Eccleston combined well down the left flank, but unfortunately for the home side no-one was on hand to turn home the latter's low ball across the six yard box.

The Reds continued to look the more likely and a well worked corner minutes later saw Bruna pick out Dani Pacheco just outside the area, but the Spaniard's sizzling drive flew just wide of the upright.

David Amoo then showed Chris Stokes a clean pair of heels before ghosting into the penalty area on the right hand side and crashing a near post shot wide from a tight angle.

After a slow start it had developed into 45 minutes of one-way traffic, but deep into first-half injury-time Peter Gulacsi was forced to produce an outstanding save to keep out Javlon Campbell's testing drive after Mavinga had been caught in possession inside his own penalty area.

With the warning of Bolton's threat on the counter-attack still fresh in their minds, the Reds restarted the match determined to double their advantage.

A searching run and cross from Amoo was volleyed just wide by Saric before Bruna clipped the bar direct from a right-wing corner.

The writing was on the wall for the visitors and Liverpool finally got their second of the game on 55 minutes, albeit via somewhat fortuitous circumstances.

Brouwer replaced Saric on 54 minutes and within seconds of taking to the field was celebrating a goal, chasing down Bolton defender Chris Basham and deflecting his attempted clearance into the net.

At this point it looked like being a question of how many McMahon's men would score, but the away side began to rally and got back into it following an almighty goalmouth melee on 59 minutes.

A cross from the right found Michael O'Halloran who cut inside before drilling in a shot that was beaten away by Gulacsi. Mavinga then cleared off the line when the rebound fell for Danny Ward before the Reds stopper was again forced to parry into the path of Blakeman who crashed

Kop legend John Barnes believes it is far too early for anyone to be writing off Liverpool in the race for the Barclays Premier League title.
The Reds lost two of their opening three matches of the campaign, but they returned to winning ways in style with a 3-2 victory over Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday.

Barnes remains optimistic Rafa Benitez's charges can go all the way in the race for the crown and cites Manchester United's indifferent start to last term as proof that no one should be dismissing Liverpool's title aspirations at this stage of the fledgling season.

He told Liverpoolfc.tv: "It's ridiculous to write off Liverpool. Look at the start Manchester United had last season and they went on to win it.

"Both the Liverpool players and fans should have a belief that they can be competitive and can go all the way.

"They went very close last season, and although that doesn't mean they're going to do it this year, it will give them belief that they can win it - regardless of the start they've had."

Barnes is confident the Liverpool squad has the necessary mentality to put their slow start behind them and mount a serious championship challenge.

"I think maybe two years ago a start like this would have knocked Liverpool, but they now have real belief," said the Tranmere Rovers boss.

"If they stick together, have the right spirit, desire and discipline - as they do - and a togetherness, then they'll be there or thereabouts come the end of the season."

The legendary former Anfield No.10 was speaking at Liverpool's World Cup host city event at the Echo Arena on Wednesday – and Barnes feels the city would be an ideal setting for matches at a tournament staged in England in 2018.

"Liverpool is a great option for the World Cup because of the passion of the people - it is a real football city with great history and tradition," he added.

"I've always felt that what really makes a World Cup is the involvement of the people embracing the competition and there is no other city like Liverpool for the passion of the fans."