Dudek to stay despite Barca enquiry

Planetfootball.com can reveal that the Polish number one has been reassured about his future at Anfield, despite making way for young Chris Kirkland recently, in the wake of his calamitous error during the defeat to Manchester United.

De Zeuw has spoken to both Gerard Houllier and Reds goalkeeping coach Joe Corrigan about his client, and is in no doubt that Dudek will bounce back, and once again prove himself to be one of the top shot-stoppers on the continent.

"Well, I don't have to look very carefully for new work for Jerzy," he stated, when asked if he is on the look-out for a new club. "Everyone in Europe knows his class.

"Yesterday, I had a phone call from Barcelona. They asked me about Jerzy's club status and form.

"They have big troubles there as two vice-presidents have quit their jobs. Who knows, maybe it's the beginning of the revolution?

"They need a good keeper, I'm sure.

"There is no need for Jerzy to go to Camp Nou. I spent the last week in Liverpool.

"I had meetings with Reds manager Gerard Houllier and goalkeepers' coach Joe Corrigan.

"They convinced me of Jurek's quick return to Liverpool's goal.

"Now, when he doesn't play two matches a week, he can train normally, and show his class.

"Houllier said that we have to wait. Maybe it'll be a few matches, maybe longer, but I'm sure that his return is only a matter of time."

De Zeuw feels Kirkland's abilities have been a little overplayed by the English media, who are desperate for a top-class keeper to emerge to displace Arsenal veteran David Seaman.

"Don't exaggerate about Kirkland," he told Gazeta Wyborcza. "I have seen the match with Aston Villa.

"He conceded three goals and didn't impress me.

"England need David Seaman's successor at once. This is why the media put pressure on Sven Goran Eriksson to call Kirkland. He may become Seaman's successor.

"This is not an accident that Eriksson could call him for a match that will take place in two months (against Australia). No manager in the world would do it because he knows that two months is a long time - the player could get an injury etc.

"Gerard Houllier never succumbs to the media, he proves this repeatedly.

"I believe that the best goalkeeper will play in Liverpool's goal. Well, look at the fans' opinions. On Liverpool's website, 72 percent of them think Dudek should be number one."

Although Dudek's dramatic loss of form is difficult to explain, after he was so impressive throughout last season for the Merseysiders, his agent thinks he might have the answer.

"We analysed the reasons with Houllier and Corrigan and the conclusion was that overworking caused the loss in concentration," he added.

"He was physically and mentally overworked.

"Physically because, from the previous season, he played lots of matches. 50 for Liverpool, the World Cup then again in The Premiership.

"He had only a two-week holiday during the last year.

"But he didn't rest mentally even then. He was stressing all the time.

"First of all because of the possible, but unsuccessful, transfer from Feyenoord to Arsenal. Then the dramatic circumstances concerning his transfer to Liverpool.

"He signed the contract before the World Cup qualifier against Norway and then played non-stop in a new team.

"A week after the last league match, he was with the national team before the World Cup.

"Then the World Cup and the stress because some media criticised his performance.

"All those things tired him.

"He didn't complain but, in every phone conversation with Jerzy, I recognised by his voice that he is very tired.

"And this caused the lack of concentration.

"Houllier admitted all his international players returned in lower form and they couldn't get in shape for some time.

"Some of them still can't to the present day.

"This is not only Liverpool's problem. Feyenoord's manager told me they sent Shinji Ono for holidays.

"The same problem occurs with Korean Chong-gug Song. He was also sent to his homeland to rest.

"But there are no holidays in England."

De Zeuw is convinced Dudek can recover from the terrible mistake against Manchester United, even though he could not have chosen worse opposition to slip up against.

"It's hard to forget about it but, day by day, he feels better," the agent admitted.

"He proves it, working very hard in training.

"Frankly, he looks three classes better than his rival.

"Liverpool coach Joe Corrigan also admitted it. He also told the Liverpool fans that even the best goalies have bad days.

"Oliver Kahn, Fabien Barthez. Corrigan made one big error when he played for Manchester City.

"Fans remembered it until his last days at Maine Road, but they had fans who support all the time.

"David Seaman has the same problem at Arsenal, as he has made a lot of mistakes in the last couple of years, but fans on the whole of England respect him.

"Jerzy and I were talking with Fulham and Dutch international keeper Edwin van der Sar, and he told us how we managed with the same problem at Juventus after Euro 2000.

"I know Jurek and his mind, and I'm sure, after this crisis, he will become stronger.

"Nobody says he isn't a powerful goalkeeper, everybody waits for his normal form.

"Houllier said to me: 'Jan, we will win the league, only with a good Dudek. Last season, he rescued us many times.

"'When he was in good form this season, we were in first place.

"'He is still number one, but he has to rest'."