England’s World Cup shoot-out hero, Jordan Pickford, could have been a Liverpool star before he signed for Everton, according to former keeper Chris Kirkland.

Pickford made a name for himself at Sunderland before sealing a £30million move to Everton last season and then being named as England’s No.1 at the World Cup.

However, former Liverpool and England keeper Kirkland was speaking to talkSPORT (h/t Mirror) and stated that the young Englishman was the best keeper he had worked with.

“I was raving about him to the Liverpool staff, saying ‘this lad is the best I’ve worked with’.”

Kirkland was playing with Pickford during their time at Preston North End and our former keeper also added that no one paid attention to him at that time.

“I told them he is going to be something special – but not many people take notice of me to be honest!

“Unfortunately they didn’t get him and Everton have got, for me, a steal even at £30million.”

Pickford saved a crucial penalty in England’s shoot-out victory over Colombia and he could have been a decent signing for us given our problems with Loris Karius and Simon Mignolet at the back.

However, Kirkland is speaking about a time where we probably were not looking for a keeper and signing Pickford could have meant the Englishman being loaned out to other clubs and possibly never getting a chance to play in the Premier League at all.

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Sunderland gave him a chance and Everton seem to be doing well with the 24-year-old. However, we should be looking at an upgrade in the goalkeeping department and must sign a reliable shot-stopper this summer.