04.12.2002 - Kirkland to be given first team chance

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Chris Kirkland will be given a place in the Reds' first team for a 'run of games', Gerard Houllier confirmed yesterday.

Following Jerzy Dudek's error in Sunday's clash with rivals Man United, Houllier has opted to give the Liverpool number one a break from first team action, which will allow Kirkland a chance to impress his manager.

Kirkland has already tasted first team football this season, when he performed sensationally in Liverpool's Worthington Cup win over Southampton a month ago, but he was immediately returned to the bench for the following match, a 1-0 defeat to Middlesbrough, with Jerzy Dudek taking his regular place between the posts for that match.

But after a number of costly mistakes by the Pole in Liverpool's three defeats over the last month, Houllier has decided that the time is right to give Kirkland an extended run of game in the Liverpool first team.

The England under-21 regular is expected to be back for tonight's Worthington Cup 4th round tie at home to Ipswich Town.