Gerard Houllier's need to add a new goalkeeper to the squad before the Champions League eligibility deadline led to him signing both Chris Kirkland and Jerzy Dudek within an hour on 31st August 2001, forcing Sander Westerveld to move to Real Sociedad later in the year.
England Under-21 star, Kirkland bided his time in the reserves until the second half of the 2002/03 season when Jerzy Dudek's form dipped.
Unfortunately he picked up an injury later in the season, preventing him from picking up his first full international cap and also allowing Dudek to regain his place in the team.
He played very little part in the 2004/05 campaign, again because of injury, and was sent to West Brom on loan for the 2005/06 season.