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Former Liverpool keeper Chris Kirkland opens up on his decade-long battle with painkiller addiction

Chris Kirkland has revealed that he nearly committed suicide as he struggled during a decade-long addiction to painkillers.

The former Liverpool and England goalkeeper battled the addiction after suffering with back problems during his career, with depression eventually kicking in.

As reported by the Times, Kirkland has opened up on the moment that he stood on the edge of the roof of Bury's pre-season base in Portugal back on July 4, 2016.

His addiction had caused him to suffer hallucinations, hyperventilate and deepened his anxiety - and he was just a step away from taking his life.