Jerzy Dudek is remembering once again what it’s like to be a hero.

He was treated like a national idol when he returned to Poland last week to face the Republic of Ireland and then turned in another match-winning performance for Liverpool as they beat Middlesbrough on Sunday.

The 31-year-old will be seeking his fifth clean sheet in a row when Liverpool put their Champions League aspirations on the line at Birmingham on Saturday and he admits the turnaround in his fortunes is something to savour.

"Everyone has been very focussed in the past few weeks. We knew there were only a handful of matches left and we had a target to reach, fourth place," he says.

"Since then we have concentrated very hard at the back and tried not to let any goals in at all. We have conceded only five in nine Premiership games and four of them came at Arsenal.

"You can see by watching the team we are playing very well defensively. I have a lot of experience and I’ve been using that on the pitch to help us."

Next stop is St Andrews and Dudek admits that despite last Sunday’s win at Anfield against Middlesbrough, it might not be a bad thing to be travelling to the Midlands.

"When we play away, we have a lot of space and we can exploit it," he explains.

"It is much easier for us to play away than at home, but the victory against Middlesbrough was crucial. Results are the most important thing at this stage of the season. If you lose, there is no time to bounce back."

Dudek is a modest chap but there’s no doubt he is treating his recent run as personal redemption. It is no coincidence surely that the form of his old sparring partners Sami Hyypia and Stephane Henchoz has improved beyond recognition.

Just under 18 months ago, Dudek’s howler against Middlesbrough cost Liverpool their unbeaten run. Since then, nothing has been the same at Anfield.

Dudek was unceremoniously dropped in December 2002 for the ultimate sin - fumbling to allow Diego Forlan to score at Anfield.

At the time, Chris Kirkland stepped in but the young England goalkeeper has been beset by a remarkable array of different injuries giving Dudek several chances to reclaim the No.1 jersey, the latest coming two months ago.

"People talk about my bad spell last season. It was a difficult period but sometimes mistakes make you stronger. That’s what happened to me," says the slim Pole.

"No-one is happy to sit on the bench but if Chris was playing, I kept my fingers crossed for him because the team is the important thing – not the individual."

When poor Kirkland broke his wrist in training 24 hours before a match at Southampton in March, Gerard Houllier called on Dudek once again.

It could turn out to be the most important moment of the season as the team have looked far more solid ever since.

None of Liverpool’s Champions League challengers Newcastle, Aston Villa, Charlton, Birmingham or Fulham have been consistent enough to seize fourth place away from the Anfield club.

And Dudek says with two games left, it is time for Liverpool to capitalise on their good fortune.

"Yes, we have been lucky that other teams haven’t taken advantage when we haven’t won. On the other hand, the Premiership is a very strong league – nobody has an automatic right to beat any other side," he says.

"It means that whatever position you are in, there is no need to give up. We didn’t win at home to Charlton or Fulham but we are still fourth.

Oddly enough, Liverpool could face another winner-takes-all on the final day of this season when they entertain Newcastle – a similar situation to last year when they lost to Chelsea.

"We all remember how close we came last year. It was a bad moment when we lost to Chelsea on the last day and nobody wants to feel like that again," grimaces Dudek.

With other countries suffering international withdrawals last week, Dudek was given a standing ovation when he captained Poland against Ireland in Bydgoszcz.

Everyone stood and applauded when Dudek made way for a younger player in the second half and it clearly touched the Liverpool star.

"It is always something special to see your people happy. I have played abroad for seven years with Feyenoord and now Liverpool and I always look forward to going home," he said.

Now he dreams of similar scenes at Anfield in nine days time – when he hopes Liverpool clinch that all-important Champions League berth.