"I WAS SHOT TO BITS!" Chris Kirkland opens up on addiction and mental health struggles

Blood Red: The Liverpool FC Podcast

Reach Podcasts

News, Soccer, Sports, Sports News

4.4 • 979 Ratings

🗓️ 18 November 2025

⏱️ 12 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

#LFC #LiverpoolFC #LiverpoolFootballClub EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/bloodred Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee Former Liverpool and England goalkeeper Chris Kirkland opens up about his battle with prescription painkiller addiction and the toll it took on his mental health. In this video, we trace his journey from injury setbacks and growing dependence to seeking professional help, rebuilding routines, and using his voice to advocate for wellbeing in football. It’s a candid, compassionate look at recovery, resilience, and the importance of speaking out. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction or mental health, please talk to a professional or reach out to trusted support services. Links and resources below. Chris Kirkland’s autobiography, ‘'Keeping It Quiet' - The Chris Kirkland Story’, is available from November 17. Pre-orders are available at www.curtis-sport.com. WATCH OR LISTEN IN FULL: 💻 https://tinyurl.com/BloodRedExclusive141125 🍏 https://tinyurl.com/BloodRedApple141125 🟢 https://tinyurl.com/BloodRedSpotify141125 Get exclusive Liverpool FC podcasts and video content everyday right here. Subscribe to the Blood Red Liverpool FC YouTube Channel and watch daily live shows HERE: https://bit.ly/3OkL9iT Listen and subscribe to the Blood Red Podcast for all your latest Liverpool FC content via Apple and Spotify: APPLE: https://bit.ly/3HfBvKq SPOTIFY: https://bit.ly/3SdsjeH Join our Blood Red podcast group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1656599847979758/ Visit the Liverpool ECHO website: https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/liverpool-fc Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LivEchoLFC Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LiverpoolEchoLFC Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bloodred_lfc Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bloodred_lfc Subscribe to us on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/bloodredliverpoolfc Download our Liverpool FC app for free: Apple - https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/lfc-echo/id1255495425 Android - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mirror.liverpoolfc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Skybet, Acker Freeze.
0:03.0	If an absolute screamer or a howler from their keeper has put you in front,
0:09.0	don't let a lively winger on a mazie runs or your bet.
0:13.0	Just freeze a winning score and win a leg of your Acker early with Skybet Acker Freeze.
0:19.0	Skybet for the fans. Minimum five selections. Pre-match football only,
0:23.8	full-time result market only, max 820 pounds, max three freezes per week, eligibility restrictions
0:27.5	and further TNCs apply, 18 plus gambleaware.org. This is the Blood Red podcast from the Liverpool
0:33.7	Echo, giving you the inside track on all the big talking points from Anfield.
0:39.2	It took me 10 years to admit the truth.
0:41.4	You know, yes, I retired in 2016 through mental health, which it was,
0:44.9	but I never said anything about the addiction until three and a half years ago back in April.
0:49.9	So it's to tell people that, listen, you know what, my biggest regret,
0:53.7	and people say you should never have regrets,
0:54.9	my biggest one is not saying it earlier.
0:57.5	Back in 2012, 2013, when I started to really struggle, particularly with the addiction, I kept it to myself.
1:03.8	And for the next 10 years, you know, it effectively had to retire from football at 35.
1:08.6	I could have carried on.
1:09.5	I was fit enough.
1:10.6	But mentally, I was just shot to bits
1:12.0	and the addiction was doing that.
1:13.9	So it is to try and tell people
1:17.3	that no matter how bad you feel
	...

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