Chris Kirkland will become Liverpool’s number one goalkeeper over the coming weeks after being told by Gerard Houllier that he is set for a run of matches between the posts. Houllier has admitted that he has taken the two goalkeepers aside and explained his future policy.
Now Kirkland will play against Ipswich in the Worthington Cup fourth-round tie at Anfield and be trusted in goal for the crucial run in to the end of 2002, when Liverpool also face vital games against Arsenal, Everton, Newcastle andBlackburn - as well as the UEFA Cup return with Vitesse Arnhem - that could change the course of their season.
Houllier has opted to put Dudek out of his misery and to give England Under-21 star Kirkland the opportunity to prepare mentally for a spell as first-choice 'keeper which could also have a major influence on whether he can dislodge David Seaman from the England job.
Houllier said: “Chris deserves a run of games and he will have that now. I spoke to both goalkeepers and told them Chris would get his run, and he will get the same backing I have given to Jerzy.
“Chris has shown he is a man by the way he has supported Jerzy; they are friends and room together and everyone is upset for what has happened. The support of all the players for him has been immense, but Chris has deserved his chance.”
Filed by Johnny Proby
