Kirkland was in inspired form, making a succession of brilliant saves to help Liverpool secure a 3-1 victory.

Strachan is in no doubt as to the quality of the 21-year old having worked with him at Coventry City.

"I have known him since he was 15 - when he was a big Bambi who could hardly kick the ball out of the penalty box," Strachan said.

"There is nobody better than him now, he's as good as anyone, all he needs is a bit of experience.

"It's just getting it that is a problem - he's behind Jerzy Dudek in the pecking order, one of the best goalkeepers in the world."

Kirkland's display may have kept Liverpool in the Worthington Cup but his only reward will be a return to the substitutes' bench.

Houllier insists goalkeepers cannot be rotated - and that means Dudek will continue as the man between the posts.

Houllier said: "We have two outstanding goalkeepers but there is no competition between them.

"You cannot have competition between goalkeepers, you trust one and go with that one.

"They must feel safe because it plays on their mind and goes against the efficiency of the team. Jerzy's first pick and then Chris."

Strachan was disappointed with the final result after his side had dominated the first half.

He said: "We had a plan which seemed to be working then they scored right at the end of the first half with their first shot on goal.

"That was a body blow but I thought when we equalised we would go on to win it.

"It's a horrible thing in football when you wake up in the middle of the night with regrets but that's what will happen.

"We let in the second straight after we scored and it affected us for five or six minutes and their third goal was a consequence of that."