Blood Red: The Liverpool FC Podcast "He wanted me out!" Chris Kirkland on clashing with Rafa Benitez!
Nov 17, 2025
Former professional goalkeeper Chris Kirkland shares his intriguing football journey and clashes with Rafael Benítez. He delves into the challenges of adjusting to Benítez's coaching and his struggles with injuries that changed his trajectory at Liverpool. Kirkland also recounts the magic of his debut, the unforgettable night in Istanbul, and the emotional fallout from being told to leave the club. With an upcoming autobiography on the horizon, he reflects on his career highs and lows, revealing a side of Liverpool FC that fans rarely see.
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New Coaching Style Reduced Sharpness
- Rafa Benítez introduced a different coaching style and less intense goalkeeper training which unsettled Chris Kirkland.
- Kirkland felt the reduced training tempo hurt his sharpness and mental state as a keeper.
Extra Training In The Park
- Kirkland describes asking for extra work and training because he felt unprepared under the new regime.
- He and Paul Harrison did extra sessions on a field near his home to stay sharp.
Feeling Unfavoured Changed Career Path
- Kirkland sensed Rafa didn't favour him from early on and felt managers sometimes simply don't rate certain players.
- He recognised adaptation is required or a player risks being replaced.
