Sander Westerveld is an established keeper, being the Dutch second-choice, behind Edwin Van Der Sar. He was brought in during the summer as a replacement for the much criticised David James, who has since left for Aston Villa. Westerveld caught the eye of the manager much earlier on but came to Liverpool after his old club Vitesse Arnhem missed a place in Europe. His presence is a key element to the new campaign and whether or not he can calm the Reds backline will play a part in deciding the season's outcome.

So far, Westerveld has proven to be an able keeper (at least better than David "Calamity" James). His lowest point in the season was the Merseyside Derby at Anfield. In that fateful match, Westerveld was sent of for fighting with Everton's Francis Jeffers. Realising his mistake, the keeper apologised to his teammates and the manager. Since then, he has been a calming influence and the team now concedes fewer goals than last season.