ENGLISH LEAGUE CUP: Everton manager David Moyes has done a good job of rewriting the Goodison Park club's recent history and does not intend to stop when it comes to the English League Cup.

Chris Kirkland will take over from error-prone Jerzy Dudek as Liverpool's first-choice goalkeeper for a few matches, manager Gerard Houllier said yesterday. Poland's Dudek has made a series of mistakes in recent weeks, culminating in the huge blunder that helped Manchester United to victory on Sunday.

"Chris deserves a run of games and he will have that now," Houllier said. "I spoke to both goalkeepers and told them he would get his run of games and that he will get the same backing that I have given to Jerzy."

Kirkland (21), who has made just a handful of appearances since his £6 million signing from Coventry 15 months ago, can now expect to be thrown in at the deep end for a testing spell of matches. Liverpool face Ipswich Town in tonight's fourth round tie, and meet Arsenal, Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle and Everton before the New Year.

Houllier, who is without Emile Heskey (swollen ankle) for the Ipswich game, has also confirmed that Patrik Berger faces another lengthy spell on the sidelines. The Czech midfielder has flown to America for a scan on his knee following the recurrence of an injury. He has made just one appearance this season.

Meanwhile, Everton goalkeeper Paul Gerrard will not renew his Merseyside rivalry with Liverpool because he is cup-tied. Gerrard joined Ipswich on loan after losing his place in the first-team squad at Goodison Park, but Everton manager David Moyes has refused permission for him to play in the competition.

Andy Marshall is likely to replace Gerrard, while Richard Naylor also has a chance of returning after a long spell on the sidelines following knee surgery.

Manager Joe Royle has included Dutch midfielder Nabil Abidallah in his squad, although the 20-year-old has not made a first-team appearance since March 2001. But Finidi George, Chris Makin and John McGreal are all sidelined.