Reina, 30, made a string of howlers again Hearts, Arsenal and Norwich.
But Rodgers said: “I can’t speak highly enough of Pepe. He’s a keeper who has really impressed me.
“Pepe has been here for a number of years and has proved himself over a long period of time.
“Like all the other players here he’s trying to improve and become a better player.
“He’s obviously adapting to a new style but this is a way of working which is perfect for Pepe.
“He came through the Barcelona model so he understands this way of playing and what I’m trying to do perfectly.
“As a team, we just need to cut out the kind of mistakes we’ve been making.
“If we do that then everyone will benefit from that, including Pepe.”
Rodgers reckons a save Reina made from Medhi Benatia in last week’s Europa League defeat to Udinese proves he can still cut it.
The Kop boss added: “That header looked like a goal and I think everyone inside Anfield probably felt it was probably going to go in.
“There is obviously a lot of pressure on every player when they play for a top club but it’s at moments like that when you see who the top keepers really are.”
The Sun
