IT'S KINDA HARD

Chris Kirkland has been given the chance to force his way into Sven-Goran Eriksson's England squad after Liverpool confirmed the Under-21 international goalkeeper would now be first choice at Anfield.

The 21-year-old will make his second start of the season against Ipswich Town tonight and he has been told he will feature at Charlton in the Premiership on Saturday. Jerzy Dudek, confidence shattered by a series of high-profile and costly mistakes, will drop to the bench at the Valley.

"Chris deserves a run of games anyway and he'll have that now," said the Liverpool manager Gérard Houllier, who had been unequivocal in his support of Dudek prior to the Pole's inexplicable errors against Manchester United on Sunday. "I spoke to both the goalkeepers together after the United game and told them that Chris would get a run now. He'll get the same backing I gave to Jerzy."

Kirkland's appearance against Ipswich will be only his sixth for Liverpool since he moved from Coventry 15 months ago for an initial £5m, and that after only 24 league games at Highfield Road.