Kirkland sets his targets

Chris Kirkland is determined to prove he is the best keeper in England.

The Liverpool custodian has had a torrid time with injuries in recent seasons, but he is on the comeback trail and has set his sights on claiming the number one jersey for his country.

Kirkland has had to watch David James and Paul Robinson fight it out for the starting berth, but he is looking to wrestle it from them once fit.

"I want to be in the England side on merit," he said when asked to comment on James' error against Austria. "I am desperate to show people what I can do but not because of ill-fortune for someone else."

Kirkland is looking to claim an extended run in Rafa Benitez's Liverpool team in a bid to press home his international credentials.

"All I want to do is to play for Liverpool," he added. "I know I have had injuries and  I know people are frustrated, but there is nobody more frustrated than me.

"I'd even say I'd play for free if it meant I could stay injury free. If someone said to me I would have no injuries if I didn't get paid then I'd take it."