 Kirkland also again spent time out of action with a broken finger, and was told by Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez that he would have to move away from Anfield if he wanted to play regular first team football as new signing Pepe Reina had made an excellent start to his Liverpool career.In July 2006, Kirkland joined Wigan Athletic on a six-month loan spell.Manager Paul Jewell said that "He certainly has the potential, but there's the obvious question mark over fitness.