A serious injury suffered by Kirkland, however, gave Dudek a chance to redeem himself in the final months of the season. A man of the match display against Manchester United was followed by another blunder against Spurs as the former Feyenoord man continued to struggle with his consistency.
Dudek is expected to start the season as Gerard Houllier's number one but, with Chris Kirkland now fully fit once again, he knows that he must be at his very best if he is to maintain his first-team place at Anfield.
Dudek, speaking to the club's official website, said: "I was trying to do my best last season but it wasn't working for me and I couldn't keep my standards high. Now I feel much fresher and let's hope it stands me in good stead.
"At the start of every season a player wonders how it is going to turn out for him and that is the same for me. I want to use the pre-season games to make sure I am 100 per cent ready for the new season. I have put last season to the back of my mind and now I want this season to be my best so far. That's my target."