Starring in goal for Liverpool in a European Cup final can either see you remembered as a hero or villain, just ask Loris Karius or Jerzy Dudek.
The former was at fault for two of the three goals conceded during the 2018 Champions League final defeat by Real Madrid and is now synonymous with this fixture for all the wrong reasons. Such is the cutthroat nature of the sport, Karius’ career at Anfield was ended over a chastening 90-minute period in Kyiv, which saw the whole world watching as he folded on the biggest stage of all. It seemed impossible to imagine a way back from this performance, and so it proved as Alisson Becker arrived through the doors at Anfield two months later.
Experiencing a different story to the German, Dudek remains fondly remembered for his inspired display in the unforgettable comeback win of Istanbul in 2005. Battling back from three goals down at the break to force extra-time and penalties, the Pole stood tall as his team-mates doggedly clung on for dear life.
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Dudek’s defining moment came in the 117th minute of the match, producing an extraordinary double save to deny Andriy Shevchenko that appeared even more impressive after every replay shown. Later denying Andrea Pirlo and Shevchenko from the spot secured his legend status as Liverpool clinched a fifth European Cup, though - like Karius - he soon lost his starting place after Pepe Reina was recruited.
There is no shortage of inspiration for the current crop of goalkeepers at the club, with 20-year-old Brazilian Marcelo Pitaluga able to call upon the best in the business in the form of Alisson. Also on the books of the Reds are three Polish shot-stoppers, who will harbour hopes of following in the footsteps of Dudek.
The youngest of this trio, Kornel Misciur, joined at the start of March from Hull City for an undisclosed fee and made his first appearance during a 3-2 victory over Sunderland at under-16s level. He has since trained with the first-team. Also striving to make their mark are Fabian Mrozek (19) and Jakub Ojrzyński (20), who arrived at the Academy in 2020 and 2019 respectively. Mrozek has been a regular starter for the under-18s this term, meanwhile Ojrzyński has spent the last two seasons out on loan – initially at Caernarfon Town and then Radomiak Radom.
Preceding this group of players was fellow Pole Kamil Grabara, who signed in January 2016 as part of a £250,000 deal and has claimed the Danish Superliga with FC Copenhagen and earned a senior international cap on the back of leaving Liverpool two years ago. Poland's production of promising players in this position is clear to see, a market Liverpool have been keen to exploit. Determining why this is the case, who better to ask than the only player to represent the Reds from this country.
“We have good coaches and take advantage of the big names,” Dudek admitted when asked by the ECHO about Polish power between the sticks. "We [Wojciech Szczęsny] started and now everyone is following us, trying to win this ticket from the lottery. Maybe it is a special character you need in that position.”
On his impressions of those hailing from his homeland currently at Liverpool, he added: “I heard about them, and there are many others coming to England. We have a good goalkeeping school in Poland and a strong mentality to succeed in this profession. 50 goalkeepers aged 15 and over left Poland last year and that means everyone is trying to be a Dudek or Szczesny.”
The Reds’ other Polish prodigy is operating at the opposite end of the pitch, where he is often found completing mazy runs and showcasing his attacking assets. Indeed, 19-year-old Mateusz Musialowski became well-known by sections of the fanbase after his stunning solo goal versus Newcastle United in April 2021 went viral on social media. He made his unofficial first-team appearance in a friendly with Strasbourg last July, though a professional debut remains elusive.
Living up to his ‘Polish Messi’ nickname would prove a challenge for any player. Remaining a consistent force at youth team level is a primary concern for Musialowski, who has perhaps not developed in the way some had envisaged since signing in 2020.
Providing his take on the teenager, Dudek said: “I have seen a few bits of him on YouTube and he is a very talented player, very skilful. Little Messi. Let’s hope he’s going to make it. He has got great potential, but he needs to stay focused and out of the media. This can always be distracting, but he has smart people around him and the club can help him too.
“It depends on the character of the person,” added the 50-year-old of Musialowski’s ‘Polish Messi’ tag. “Some players take this as an opportunity to be bigger and they feel better with this nickname. I don’t think they are going to take it seriously, they are going to work for their own name in the future. It is always nice if someone can say you are more or like a young Messi, this is a big compliment. It tells you everything about his talent.”
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