Liverpool Goalkeeper Pepe Reina Respects Reserve Stopper Cavalieri

São Paulo shot-stopper Diego Cavalieri signed for Liverpool last summer in a deal reported to involve a £3 million fee.

In his six-year career at previous club Palmeiras he accumulated over a century of first-team appearances despite his relatively young age for a first-choice goalkeeper.

He is held in high esteem by the Liverpool management as he was awarded Jerzy Dudek's old jersey number: 1.

Spanish glovesman Pepe Reina expects the Brazilian to guard goal in the fourth round of the FA Cup this weekend. He insists that he wishes it was he who would be playing, but would have few complaints if he was overlooked for the starting role.

"I would like to play - I would be lying if I didn't say that - but I think Diego deserves it," Reina told the club's official website.

"I have a lot of respect for what he is doing. Diego played a great game against Preston in the last round of the FA Cup.

"It is not easy when you are not playing regularly, but he works really hard and is a great professional."

Cavalieri has been favoured in the cup competitions thus far this season.

Reina though will reflect on good memories in the FA Cup, having been a key member of the thrilling West Ham United 3-3 final in 2006; a game that was eventually settled on penalties.

Alan Dawson, Goal.com