Saved By David James

There is not much the average Anfield regular would thank Graeme Souness for. But one exception would surely be the signing of David James.

After failing to impress Spurs as a school-boy, James finally signed for Watford, then managed by the latterly much-maligned Graham Taylor. Although failing to break into the first team immediately, those early years were not wasted and David fondly remembers long hours on the training ground trying to stop goals from a certain J. Barnes.

"I always tried to stop John from scoring in practice, " he said. "I'm pretty sure he never did! " Such competitiveness can still be seen at Liverpool's Melwood training ground now that the two friends have reunited!

Back at Watford, David was patiently waiting for his first team opportunity. His great talent was never doubted but his lack of experience ensured he had to play second fiddle to first Steve Sherwood and then Tony Coton. In August 1990, however, he got his break and made his debut against Millwall. Despite losing 2-1, David kept his place and a run of impressive displays saw him secure the number one jesey on a regular basis at the age of just 20.

Although he was playing in a struggling Watford side, David's often exceptional performances did not go un-noticed. His great skill combined with his striking dreadlocks and huge six foot four inch frame, attracted the attention of a host of clubs.

After just 89 appearances for the Vicarage Road club and 10 for the England Under-21 side, it was Liverpool who secured his services for a then staggering 1.3 million pounds.

On his arrival at Anfield, David declared that he had not come to the club to play in the reserves and as people quickly found out, his self belief was not unfounded. The opening fixture of the 1992-93 League season saw the Reds visiting Nottingham Forest and Souness had do qualms about offering David an immediate chance to demonstate his ability at the very highest level. A below par Liverpool performance ended in a 1-0 defeat but there was little doubt the scoreline would have been far worse but for a superb goalkeeping display from James. The youngster had made his mark!

He retained his place despite intense competition from that great Liverpool servant Grobbelaar, and operating from a far from solid defence was certainly given every opportunity to display his skills. Eventually, Souness did recall the experienced Grobbelaar and David had to settle for a place on the bench again. By his own admission, he had made a couple of basic handling errors but there was little doubt in most people's minds that Liverpool's inability to keep clean sheets had more to do with bad defending than bad goalkeeping, and many felt that David was made a scapegoat by an under-pressure Souness. In his first season, David conceded 40 goals in 31 League and Cup appearances. Despite this however, he can look back on his start with some satisfaction.

Although his Anfield career was still in its infancy, David had made a great impression on the supporters and the media. His incredible reflexes and domination of the penalty area, led to comparisons with the great Ray Clemence. At the time, such compliments may have seemed premature but as James develops, the similarities are evident. Clemence made over 400 appearances for the Reds and was an integral part of the great sides of the seventies and early eighties. If David wins half as many medals as Ray, he will have had a wonderful career.

The 1993-94 season started well for Liverpool and a frustated James could only watch from the sidelnes as the eccentric Grobbelaar held the number one jersey. Even when the teams form dipped alarmingly, Souness seemed unwilling to give James another chance to prove himself.

But David accepted the decision gracefully. He said "I'm only young, and I'm not tearing out my hair playing for the reserves. Besides, I love playing football at any level and I'm certain I will get more opportunities to play for the first team. " He did, but only 13 times that season, one of several top players who struggled to hold down a regular place as Liverpool underwent major upheavals both on and off the pitch.

The close season saw the enigmatic Grobbelaar leave Anfield for Southampton after making over 400 appearances for the Reds and winning a heap of medals. Loved and hated by Liverpool fans, Bruce was capable of making brilliant saves and dreadful blunders in the space of a minute. If David thought this was a signal from new manager Roy Evans, that he was now the 'Pools undisputed number one, he got a shock when the boss signed the promising Dane, Michael Stensgaard from part-time Hvidovve. Like James, the young scandinavian has already been compared to a goalkeeping master; in his case, friend and fellow-countryman Peter Schmeichel of Manchester United.

But so far David is the man Evans wants to guard Liverpool's net. With his first-team place at Anfield looking secure, David can now look forward to achieving his next ambition, to play for England. Still only 22, full international recognition may not be far away, with England manager Terry Venables known to be keen to try out new players at the highest level. Of England's potential keepers, only Blackburn's Tim Flowers is under 30 and James' full international bow may not be that far away.

For the time being however, Liverpool is his priority, and protected by the 7 million pound pair, John Scales and Phil Babb, as well as the mighty Neil Ruddock, David now has all the help he needs to protect his goal from marauding strikers.

Who knows, in a few years time, David James may become the third Liverpool goalkeeper in recent times to clock up more than 400 appearances for the club. And if he can combine the brilliant side of Grobbelaar with the consistency of Clemence, he may yet be regarded as greater than either of them.

Copyright - Super Liverpool magazine