Edwin van der Sar Fulham
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Van der Sar - who was also the victim of a club row that prompted his move from Juventus to Craven Cottage - today told of the help he has given Stam and Westerveld.

"It (moving clubs) is a big setback for yourself - for me, for Jaap Stam and for Sander," van der Sar said.

"I didn't want to leave Juve and Jaap didn't really want to leave Manchester, but we both found a club and life goes on. I'm happy here. It's a nice team and a nice atmosphere.

"I think Jaap is a great defender and did a hell of a job at Man United. I talked with Jaap and gave him some advice about Italian football.

"Every Dutch guy speaks English, so there's no problem when you come here, but when you go to Italy, it's a big difference."

Asked whether he felt his departure from Juve was a bigger shock than Stam's Old Trafford exit, van der Sar said: "Both were a surprise. You have to forget the other club and get your attention at your new club. It's new players, new faces and a new system."

Westerveld's Anfield future looks worse than bleak after Houllier swooped for Feyenoord's Jerzy Dudek and Coventry's Chris Kirkland.

Van der Sar insisted Westerveld's high-profile error that allowed Premiership new boys Bolton to claim a 2-1 victory was not enough to end his career with the Reds.

Van der Sar said he shared a joke with Westerveld about Houllier replacing him with two goalkeepers - and added: "I've spoken with him. He's won a lot of prizes with Liverpool.

"Everybody makes mistakes, and I don't think Sander made enough mistakes to change him.

"I don't know what Gerard Houllier was thinking or doing. He's spent a lot of money on those two goalkeepers."