[lfc-news] Nervous wait for Kirkland - Echo

Liverpool Echo, 13 Dec 2004
Nervous wait for Kirkland
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

CHRIS KIRKLAND faces an anxious wait to see if he's kept his place for
Liverpool's Premiership clash with Portsmouth tomorrow.

Fingers were pointed at the Anfield keeper for the third consecutive game
following Lee Carsley's winning goal in the Merseyside derby.

After tame strikes by Nolberto Solano at Aston Villa, and Rivaldo in the
Champions League clash with Olympiakos found the net, Kirkland (pictured)
has suddenly found himself under pressure.

Manager Rafa Benitez has the option of recalling Jerzy Dudek, who did his
cause no harm with a match-winning performance against Spurs in the Carling
Cup a fortnight ago.

Benitez must decide whether to back his 23-year-old stopper through the
first dip of his career.

The Liverpool boss is not being drawn on the subject of who'll play against
Portsmouth.

"Throughout a season, players will have good moments and bad moments. The
question is you need to use the best players for each game and for the
right game," said Benitez.

"I don't know if I can blame the goalkeeper in particular for the goal
because there were two or three mistakes which led to the goal."

The Spanish coach has the luxury of recalling Milan Baros after the Czech
star was rested at the weekend. Baros is still seeking fitness following
his hamstring problems. Xabi Alonso and Steve Finnan will also return after
being controversially left out of the derby.

Benitez defended his decision to leave Alonso on the bench ahead of a busy
fixture list. "We can talk about why Alonso wasn't playing or Baros wasn't
playing, but in my opinion you always need to use the whole squad," said
Benitez.

The Liverpool boss was unimpressed by perceived attempts to pressurise
referee Steve Bennett prior to Saturday's game.

The Reds thought it was inappropriate for Everton to question the
appointment to refereeing chief Keith Hackett.

* Liverpool have tickets available on general sale for tomorrow night's
game (£26 Adults, £39 Adult/Child Combined and concessions from £13).



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