Former Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland has revealed he told Liverpool staff to sign Jordan Pickford from Sunderland in 2016 prior to his move to Everton.
Kirkland, who enjoyed a five year spell at Anfield from 2001 to 2005, was part of the Liverpool side that won the Champions League against AC Milan.
The goalkeeper was sold after the Reds triumph and went on to represent nine different clubs up and down the country; including Preston North-End, where he became teammates with Pickford.
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The Sunderland youngster had been sent out on loan to gain further first-team experience and would catch the eyes of the veteran prior to his £30million move to Goodison Park.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo prior to the Euro 2020 final, Kirkland heaped praise on the 27-year-old, revealing that Liverpool officials went against his recommendation in 2016.
He said: "I told some of the Liverpool staff that Jordan was the best young keeper I had worked with.
"I told them he was going to be something special. But obviously, nobody listened and he eventually ended up at Everton!”
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