Dudek ready to fight for his Liverpool place

GOALKEEPER Jerzy Dudek has pledged his future to Liverpool - and vowed to fight for his place ahead of the impending Anfield arrival of Jose Reina.

Although Dudek was a hero of the Reds’ Champions League final with AC Milan last month, saving two penalties in the spot-kick shoot-out victory, there were rumours he would leave Anfield this summer.

Manager Rafael Benitez has made it a priority to strengthen the goalkeeping department again, despite the capture of Scott Carson from Leeds during the transfer window.

With Benitez fully expected to soon complete the capture of Spanish compatriot Reina from Villarreal, it places further pressure on Poland international Dudek.

But he is determined to meet the challenge as he told Czech newspaper MF Dnes: “I still have two years left on my contract, so yes, I will stay at Liverpool.

“I admit that there was a lot of speculation on this issue, but the coach must buy another goalkeeper.

“I am not afraid that the new goalkeeper will make problems for me. Every year it is difficult to be in the line-up, and it will be the same next season.”

Whether Dudek will have the chance to repeat his Champions League heroics next season remains to be seen.

But he is at least delighted Liverpool have the chance to defend the trophy they won in such spectacular fashion in Istanbul.

“I expected it,” added a confident Dudek after UEFA recently agreed to allow the Reds a Champions League return, despite finishing outside the qualifying top four of the Premiership.

“If Liverpool had missed next season’s Champions League it would have been a big loss.

“The competition would have been impoverished.

“Every club wants to beat the Champions League winners, every club wants to play against them.”