Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson will give Brad Jones his debut tonight against Carling Cup opponents Northampton.
Jones joined from Middlesbrough last month in the knowledge he would be back-up to Pepe Reina.
But after four matches as a substitute he gets his first taste of action and Hodgson expects him to slot in seamlessly.
"Brad Jones is an international goalkeeper for Australia and he's played many games for Middlesbrough so I have no doubts about him and his competence," he said.
"Pepe is a fantastic character who wants to play every game, whether it's a seven-a-side in training or any game Liverpool plays, but it's important that Brad gets his chance.
"Goalkeepers have got to be a very special breed. You need a character who is good enough for the Premier League but who also understands that there's another goalkeeper at the club who's probably better than him.
"You look for an exceptional person and then all you can do is try to keep them on board as much as you can.
"That is done by treating them with the proper respect in training, and that's very important, and by giving them a chance to play when the opportunity presents itself."
