Mark Schwarzer is itching to be No1 at 40

Saving grace: Mark Schwarzer thwarts Alberto Aquilani during an excellent display
David Smith11 April 2012

Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is ready to accept Roy Hodgson's challenge of playing top-class football into his forties.

Schwarzer will be 38 in October but at Liverpool yesterday he performed with all the agility of someone 10 years younger. Combine that attribute with the kind of precise positioning and faultless anticipation that is only gained through experience and you have the ingredients to make up one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League.

Liverpool certainly had cause to rue the Australia international, whose succession of world-class saves forced Reds boss Rafa Benitez to concede that fourth place, and entry into next season's Champions League, is now beyond his team.

There was a point-blank save from Maxi Rodriguez, a diving parry to deny Javier Mascherano, another parry from a fierce shot by Alberto Aquilani, and a low stop from Ryan Babel who turned Jonathan Greening to find space to shoot hard for the bottom corner.

Hodgson was delighted with his side's resolute display — coming just three days after a sensational Europa League win over Bundesliga champions Wolfsburg — even though Fulham's only shot came 55 seconds into added time when Damien Duff tested Pepe Reina.

But the manager reserved special praise for Schwarzer, who he snapped up on a free transfer from Middlesbrough in 2008. He said: "Mark did a fantastic job. If you don't have a goalkeeper who commands his area and who can take shots that he should take, then you lose the game."

Hodgson believes time is still on Schwarzer's side. "Some of the best goalkeepers in the past have gone on to over 40," he said.

Schwarzer, who spent 11 years at Boro, said: "I'm enjoying myself more than ever, and I'm probably close to being as fit as I've ever been in my whole career.

"I want to keep going as long as I can. As long as I'm enjoying it, and able to play at this level, why not?"

Bobby Zamora's goals have made most of the headlines for Fulham this season but Schwarzer's consistency is a prime reason why the club could face Liverpool in next month's Europa League Final, just so long as they overcome Hamburg in a two-leg semi-final. Schwarzer said: "It's in our own hands. It would be a tremendous achievement for the players and club. We're all fighting for the same cause, we all want to be successful.

"We've got to stay focused and keep determined, and then the sky's the limit for us."

Indeed, if Fulham continue to defend as well as they did in Wolfsburg and at Liverpool, their season really could have a Cinderella finale.

Hodgson, who resisted the temptation to rest his leading lights, said: "After coming back from Wolfsburg with a clean sheet, and then coming to Anfield and getting another clean sheet, I've got to be very satisfied."

Zoltan Gera and Simon Davies were both missing through injury, but they could be back for the home game against Wolves on Saturday.

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