Chris Kirkland is a bastion of diplomacy but, reading between the lines, one forms that impression that he spiritually left Liverpool long before he joined West Bromwich Albion on loan.

The goalkeeper, potentially the most talented in the Premiership, has endured such a bad time with injuries that his primary concern in the summer was not so much who he would play for but who would remember him.

At least one man - Bryan Robson - did remember him and the consequences have been favourable all round. Kirkland has found new employers for at least a season, Albion have found a new goalkeeper, and Liverpool find themselves in a no-lose situation.

Kirkland speaks no ill of Liverpool but it is hard to see how he can return there. The indications are that he will remain an Albion player, certainly for as long as he is producing the goods.

"As far as I am concerned, I am a West Brom player now," Kirkland said. "I am here for a year. What happens after that, I don't know. I am not the man to ask. It is up to Liverpool.

"I need to know what Liverpool want to do before I make my mind up. For now, I want to do what is best for West Brom. They took a chance on me. I hadn't played for nine months, I had a back operation, and they took a gamble.

"I can't see any reason why I would not want to make this a permanent move. It is out of my hands. But if the opportunity came up [to join Albion permanently] I would have no hesitation."

Kirkland made his Albion debut with an impressive display in the opening day goalless draw against Manchester

City. He has remained in the team for the three matches since and, surprisingly, has earned a call-up to the England squad.

Contrast that with the 2004-05 season when he played in many of Liverpool's matches in the Uefa Champions League but was a mere spectator when they won the final against AC Milan.

"It was a great boost to be involved the national team," Kirkland said. "I didn't expect it at all. I knew that if I could train with the England players it could only help my club form.

"But it was a strange summer for me. I wasn't fit and I was getting over the back

operation. The gaffer [Rafael BenItez] was honest and said he was going to bring another goalkeeper in. When the gaffer tells you that, you know you are not in his plans.

"That gives you a decision to make. You either stay and pick up your money or go and try to make a name for yourself. And that is what I did. I didn't think twice. There were a couple of clubs interested but when West Brom came in, that was it as far as I was concerned.

"Joe Corrigan is the goalkeeping coach here and there is Bryan Robson as manager. It was therefore an easy decision. It was very hard being out of action for so long but

I've had to get used to it. I have played four competitive games in eight or nine months and I am still not where I want to be. I am happy with the way things are going and I am confident with the way things are going.

"I used to feel forgotten but now I cannot wait for Saturdays to come along again. I was worried about being forgotten."

A damaged disc in the back, a broken finger and damaged cruciate ligaments have - Kirkland has suffered more than most since he left Coventry City to join Liverpool for £6 million in August 2001.

"The thing that winds me up the most is when people say I am injury-prone," Kirkland said. "To me, that means you are always pulling hamstrings or things like that. The injuries I've had have all been serious and unavoidable. Without them, I would have played a hell of a lot more. I have a good attitude to get over these things.

"I don't think about the injuries any more. I just want a good season. It feels right here.

"I was effectively on trial when I first arrived but that was understandable because I hadn't played for so long. I worked hard. I did all the running, I did double

sessions, I did the lot. I have not had a problem. My back is as good as it has ever been.

"I wasn't guaranteed a starting place. He [Robson] said just said come along and enjoy it. Hopefully I did enough in training and it was a boost to get in for the first match of the season."

One suspects, however, that this loan move will turn into something more permanent quicker than even Kirkland might expect.

Has anybody from Liverpool been in touch with him? "Nobody has contacted me from Liverpool since I have been here. No, no contact."

Does it surprise him? "It doesn't surprise me, no."