| JERZY DUDEK PROFILE
by Phil Matthews Date of Birth - 28/03/73
Nationality - Polish
Position - Goalkeeper
Squad Number - 1
Cost - £5m
Club Hons (Lpool) - League Cup 2003; Champions League 2005; European Super Cup 2005; FA Cup 2006;
Club Hons (Other) - Dutch Championship
Intnl Hons - Polish Caps
Other Clubs - GKS Tychy, Feyenoord |
Jerzy Dudek started his professional career slightly later than most footballers. He signed his first professional contract at Polish side GKS Tychy at the age of 21. He only played 15 matches for them before he was signed by Dutch giants Feyenoord to be understudy to Ed De Goey.
After De Goey moved on to Chelsea, Dudek was given a chance to make the first team goalkeeper position his own, which he did in some style, being almost an ever present over the next four seasons. In the 98/99 season Feyenoord won the title and Dudek was voted the best
goalkeeper in the Eredivisie, as well as establishing him as a massive hero with the fans. He received his first international call up and his form led to him being linked with a move to the Premiership, most prominently with Arsenal who needed a replacement for the ageing David Seaman.
Meanwhile, Anfield custodian Sander Westerveld was in the most erratic form of his life. Several high profile gaffes, most notably one against Bolton had led Gerard Houllier to look to alternatives. On
transfer deadline day, deals were on the table for both Dudek and England U21 goalkeeper Chris Kirkland. After concern that one of the deals may fall through, Liverpool signed both players and come the next match Dudek was between the sticks for The Reds.
In his first season, Dudek was a revelation. He kept 26 clean sheets and his agility and athleticism won him many plaudits. The turning point in Dudek's career was the 2002 World Cup. Poland crashed out of the group stages and Dudek turned in what were generally considered to be some poor performances.
His next season for The Reds saw Dudek starting to show some inconsistency. While he was still a very good shot stopper, he started to flap at crosses somewhat and began to make some critical mistakes, particularly against Manchester United. This lead to Dudek being dropped for a spell and Kirkland stepped up with a string of good performances. Luckily for Dudek, Kirkland was and is made of crisps and predictably enough was soon injured. Dudek grasped the opportunity and put in some stunning performances including a man of the match performance in the 2003 Carling Cup final, ironically against Manchester United.
Dudek's past Liverpool career, whilst frustrating is almost completely overshadowed by his performance in Istanbul. In the first half Liverpool were battered by AC Milan, shipping 3 goals. None of them were particularly Dudek's fault. However, his extra time double save from Andrei Shevchenko defied physics, and then there was his penalty shootout antics.
After a pre shootout pep talk from Jamie Carragher, Dudek, aping the antics of Bruce Grobbelar against Rome in 1984 began to do what can basically be described as some kind of aerobics routine. It seemed to do the trick though. Serginho ballooned Milan's first penalty over the bar and then Dudek saved Pirlo's weak effort, although it was later shown that Dudek had moved from his line when the penalty had been struck.
Tomasson and Kaka struck both their penalties past Dudek, but after Vladimir Smicer scored his effort, the score was 3-2 to Liverpool and the next penalty could be the decisive one. Milan had to score or Liverpool were Champions of Europe. The decisive penalty was to be taken by Andrei Shevchenko, arguably the best and most in form striker in the entire world. His penalty was poor and Dudek saved it easily to give Liverpool their fifth European Cup.
Dudek was awarded a new contract shortly after, although his erratic form lead to a lack of confidence in him. He was replaced by Spanish international Jose Reina and after that became a bit part player, mainly limited to reserve and cup appearances. His form suffered drastically, and he endured two nightmare displays against Arsenal in the space of four days, conceding nine goals as the reds were dumped out of two cup competitions
An unlikely move to Real Madrid in the summer of 2007 saw the popular Pole depart Anfield, and he will leave behind memories of an erratic career with the Reds, but mainly of his role in our historic victory in Istanbul.
