15.08.2003 - Dudek to start but Smicer misses out

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Jerzy Dudek will start as Gerard Houllier's first choice keeper when the Reds take on Chelsea on Sunday.

Dudek was dropped from the side early last year but regained his place in the Liverpool goal in January following a serious injury picked up by Chris Kirkland which ruled him out for the rest of the season.

And Houllier is set to start this season with the same goalkeeper after giving an equal amount of opportunities to each 'keeper during the pre-season.

Meanwhile, Vladimir Smicer is facing a race against time to be fit for the match, and now looks as though he will miss out, as the Czech midfielder is taking longer than expected to return to full training.

The side which is likely to start the game is as follows:

Dudek, Carragher, Henchoz, Hyypia, Riise, Diouf, Murphy, Biscan, Kewell, Owen, Heskey.