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Pundit: Liverpool ignored my advice to sign this Prem star, he's now wanted by Tottenham
CHRIS KIRKLAND has revealed how he advised his former club Liverpool to sign Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
Chris Kirkland told Liverpool to sign Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford
The 22-year-old shot-stopper has been a rare bright spark in a disappointing season so far for Sunderland, who sit rock bottom of the Premier League table.
He has kept just one clean sheet in 13 league appearances this term but has made the second most saves (57) with only Burnley's Tom Heaton (66) ahead of him.
While Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius, who signed in the summer from Mainz, has come in for some heavy criticism between the sticks in recent weeks.
Loris Karius is enduring a tough start to life at Liverpool
And former Reds keeper Kirkland is not surprised by Pickford's rise at Sunderland, claiming he recommended him to Liverpool after working with him at Preston.
The 35-year-old is confident a number of clubs will be interested in Pickford at the end of the season, with Tottenham reportedly lining up a move for England Under-21 star.
The Sun claim Spurs have set their sights on Pickford as a potential replacement for Hugo Lloris, who could leave next summer if Spurs fail to achieve a top-four finish.
Kirkland told BT Sport: “I told Liverpool to sign him last summer. He will have all of the top clubs looking at him - not just in England, but in Europe as well.
Jordan Pickford has reportedly been lined up by Tottenham as Hugo Lloris' replacement
“He definitely won’t be there (at Sunderland) next summer. I wouldn’t be surprised if he is not there come January."
Kirkland added: “For me, he could be one of the best in the world – he is the best I have worked with, that’s for sure.
“He would make saves like that all of the time at Preston. I think he has made the second most saves in the Premier League this season.
“It is really up to him how far he goes, because he has the whole package.”