Liverpool FC Forum

by **Ciggy** » Fri Sep 10, 2004 10:37 am

At last

Benitez backing for beleaguered keeper Kirkland Sep 10 2004

By Andy Hunter, Daily Post

RAFAEL BENITEZ has delivered a timely vote of confidence in Chris Kirkland as the Liverpool keeper targets a Champions League comeback next week.

Kirkland has suffered two further setbacks in his bid to become Anfield's number one this season, with Jerzy Dudek selected ahead of him at the start of the campaign and then a back strain keeping him on the sidelines for the past fortnight.

In that time Coventry City had a cheeky attempt to take the 23-year-old (left) back to Highfield Road on loan rejected by the new Liverpool manager.

And now Benitez has confirmed Kirkland figures in his long-term plans by insisting the £9million stopper can become first choice for both Liverpool and England.

"I'm sure he will be England's number one because he's a very good goalkeeper," said Benitez. "We have two good goalkeepers and it is good for the team that they fight for the position.

"It is good for England that he stays here at Liverpool because he will improve. He works very, very hard. I am sure that in the future he will be the number one in the international team."

Kirkland will not return ahead of tomorrow's home game with West Bromwich Albion as Paul Harrison continues to deputise for Dudek.

But he expects to mount a serious challenge to the struggling Polish international in next week's Champions League opener against Monaco.

Kirkland said: "I was gutted not to be chosen for the first match of the season but he's the manager.

"I respect his decision and what he says goes."

Kirkland continued: "But I can't wait to get back playing and hope-fully I'll be involved next Wednesday."

Harry Kewell is available for the visit of Gary Megson's team after recovering from the calf strain that forced him out of the defeat at Bolton.

New signing Antonio Nunez has now stepped up his rehabilitation from the knee ligament injury suffered in his first training session with Liverpool.

The former Real Madrid midfielder has started light training and could make his Liverpool bow in next week's reserve game against Sunderland.

by **laza** » Fri Sep 10, 2004 10:42 am

I see soccernet review of CL group A teams names Liverpool weak link as Dudek

Liverpool
English League fourth place

Champions League pedigree: Winners 1977, 1978, 1981, 1984

The Star Man - Steven Gerrard

New Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez spent plenty of cash in giving a Spanish flavour to the side he inherited from Gerard Houllier during the summer, but his good fortune in hanging on to Gerrard was the coup of the summer.

It seemed that the England midfielder was on the verge of joining Chelsea after Euro 2004, but he opted to stay on at Anfield for another year at least and his importance to this side cannot be underestimated.

With drive and passion to spare, he is a consistent scorer from the midfield and it was two Gerrard goals in the qualifying round against AK Graz in August that booked their return to the Champions League.

The Weak Link - Jerzy Dudek

The big keeper lost his place in the Liverpool side last season after a series of glaring errors and he was fortunate to get a second chance after an injury to young English stopper Chris Kirkland.

A decent shot stopper, but Dudek can be caught out when dealing with crosses at times and the fact that Benitez has been linked with a couple keepers since he arrived at the club suggests he may be unsure about his current No.1.

The New Face - Djibril Cisse

Michael Owen's departure has opened the door for Cisse to become an Anfield legend and he has all the raw materials to scores goal aplenty for Liverpool.

Cisse seems to have been heading to Merseyside for the last couple of years and it was ironic that he finally sealed his £14m move after Gerard Houllier's departure as manager was not lost on this gifted Frenchman. After all, it was his compatriot who chased after his services for so long during his time as Liverpool boss.

With an impressive turn of pace and a fine scoring record during his time at Auxerre, he should prove to be a fine acquisition for a club as they look to rebuild under a new manager.

The Coach - Rafael Benitez

After a stunning run of success at Valencia, Benitez was a coach in demand during the summer, so Liverpool did well to lure him to Anfield.

A shrewd tactician, the Spaniard will need time to rebuild a Liverpool side who have fallen well behind the top three of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United in the English Premiership. As for winning in Europe again, that is nothing more than a pipe dream for one of the most famous names in the game just now.

He knows the Spanish transfer market better than any other and that explains why he opted to sign a host of La Liga talent this summer. Xabi Alonso, Josemi and Luis Garcia will take time to settle in England and this will be a year of building for Liverpool.

Verdict: The may get through to the knock-out stages, but that will be it.

by **Shanti** » Fri Sep 10, 2004 10:51 am

cisses_gona_get_ya wrote:At last
Benitez backing for beleaguered keeper Kirkland Sep 10 2004

By Andy Hunter, Daily Post

"I'm sure he will be England's number one because he's a very good goalkeeper," said Benitez. "We have two good goalkeepers and it is good for the team that they fight for the position.

"It is good for England that he stays here at Liverpool because he will improve. He works very, very hard. I am sure that in the future he will be the number one in the international team."

it sounds like entertaining words to me:

"you are good son (but you have to wait)"

by **stmichael** » Fri Sep 10, 2004 12:52 pm

don't count your chickens yet cisse. he's still got five more days in which to get injured. that's plenty of time for him.

p.s. the game is live on sky sports extra

by **ckay** » Fri Sep 10, 2004 2:09 pm

Come on Kirky, Liverpool no 1, then england no 1. Just stay injury free!!

Liverpool FC Forum

Kirkland ready for cl game

Who is online