[size=12pt]Kelly: My debt to Glen[/size]
19th Jan 2011 - Latest News
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Martin Kelly has revealed how Glen Johnson has played a big part in helping him become a regular in the Liverpool team - even though he is vying for the England international's place at right-back.
The Whiston-born defender has started in every one of Kenny Dalglish's three games in charge so far and has earned praise for his displays from the boss who said he is in his team on merit.
Kelly's big chance to return to the side came at Old Trafford when Johnson had to pull out of the FA Cup tie because his partner was due to give birth.
"I had a little bit of luck there and I've got the baby to thank for that I think!," Kelly told Liverpoolfc.tv.
"It was good to play in a big game like that at Old Trafford. I remember missing the FA Youth Cup final there through injury and I was devastated, so it was good to go back and play there.
"Glen has been a good help for me. Just watching him on the pitch and seeing how good he is on the training ground has also helped me.
"He's a great lad and we get on well.
"For me it's good to play at right-back. I could have been pushed out to left-back when Glen came back against Blackpool but the manager has kept me there, and hopefully my performances have shown I can stay there.
"I am enjoying playing at right-back but if the time comes when I'm needed to play centre back I will play there as well.
"It's good to be able to play anywhere in the back four if need be.
"Playing against Manchester United and then Everton are two of the biggest games I've ever been involved in.
"I've only played 20 games for Liverpool so far and playing in the derby was enjoyable and tough, and I'm still feeling a little stiff from that."
To watch our exclusive chat with Kelly click on the play button below
The England U21 international also spoke about how much confidence Dalglish has given him and the squad.
"It has been good for me to play under Kenny and we have all got a massive lift with him coming back as manager," he added.
"Everyone wants to impress him and it shows on the training ground and it will soon start showing with results as well.
"The training is a lot more competitive now and that's a good thing for us.
"I am getting a good run at the moment but you are only as good as your last game. I need to keep it up and keep showing the manager what I can do.
"There's always strong competition at Liverpool and as long as you keep your standards as high as you can then you are going to stay in the team."
Liverpool's No.34 revealed Dalglish has donned his boots once again in training - and how he still has the wonderful ability that saw him voted Liverpool's greatest ever player in a poll on this website.
He said: "It's brilliant training with Kenny. He gets involved in the sessions and he gives everyone encouragement.
"He has got fantastic respect from all of the players and it's a good place to be.
"He has got involved in the matches we have at the end of training and he has still got it. I don't think he will ever lose that ability and it's good when he gets involved."
After another impressive display during Sunday's Merseyside derby Kelly still feels slightly aggrieved that he wasn't awarded a free-kick following a challenge him from Victor Anichebe that left him on the floor and led to Everton's second goal.
"I think if the referee sees the incident again he's got to stop play because I had a head injury," he said.
"I didn't know what day it was and play should have been stopped. The next thing I noticed was I heard cheers celebrating a goal and I was a bit dazed and didn't know who had scored it!
"We could have sealed the win in the first half but that's football sometimes. We showed good character to get back in the game and get the draw.
"It was great for me to play alongside Jay Spearing in a big game like that. You can always count on Jay to play well for us and he did extremely well in the derby.
"We are two local lads who have come through the Academy together and it was really enjoyable.
"The manager has given all of the young lads a boost. It is good for a youngster to get the opportunity because we know they don't come around too often.
"With the amount of injuries that happen in a season as well you have got to be ready to play.
"Jonjo (Shelvey) has been playing and doing well when coming off the bench and I'm sure other youngsters will get their chance during the coming games."
19th Jan 2011 - Latest News
1 Comment Email Print Share
Mixx Digg Facebook del.icio.us reddit StumbleUpon Twitter Myspace Archive LFC To Go
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Martin Kelly has revealed how Glen Johnson has played a big part in helping him become a regular in the Liverpool team - even though he is vying for the England international's place at right-back.
The Whiston-born defender has started in every one of Kenny Dalglish's three games in charge so far and has earned praise for his displays from the boss who said he is in his team on merit.
Kelly's big chance to return to the side came at Old Trafford when Johnson had to pull out of the FA Cup tie because his partner was due to give birth.
"I had a little bit of luck there and I've got the baby to thank for that I think!," Kelly told Liverpoolfc.tv.
"It was good to play in a big game like that at Old Trafford. I remember missing the FA Youth Cup final there through injury and I was devastated, so it was good to go back and play there.
"Glen has been a good help for me. Just watching him on the pitch and seeing how good he is on the training ground has also helped me.
"He's a great lad and we get on well.
"For me it's good to play at right-back. I could have been pushed out to left-back when Glen came back against Blackpool but the manager has kept me there, and hopefully my performances have shown I can stay there.
"I am enjoying playing at right-back but if the time comes when I'm needed to play centre back I will play there as well.
"It's good to be able to play anywhere in the back four if need be.
"Playing against Manchester United and then Everton are two of the biggest games I've ever been involved in.
"I've only played 20 games for Liverpool so far and playing in the derby was enjoyable and tough, and I'm still feeling a little stiff from that."
To watch our exclusive chat with Kelly click on the play button below
The England U21 international also spoke about how much confidence Dalglish has given him and the squad.
"It has been good for me to play under Kenny and we have all got a massive lift with him coming back as manager," he added.
"Everyone wants to impress him and it shows on the training ground and it will soon start showing with results as well.
"The training is a lot more competitive now and that's a good thing for us.
"I am getting a good run at the moment but you are only as good as your last game. I need to keep it up and keep showing the manager what I can do.
"There's always strong competition at Liverpool and as long as you keep your standards as high as you can then you are going to stay in the team."
Liverpool's No.34 revealed Dalglish has donned his boots once again in training - and how he still has the wonderful ability that saw him voted Liverpool's greatest ever player in a poll on this website.
He said: "It's brilliant training with Kenny. He gets involved in the sessions and he gives everyone encouragement.
"He has got fantastic respect from all of the players and it's a good place to be.
"He has got involved in the matches we have at the end of training and he has still got it. I don't think he will ever lose that ability and it's good when he gets involved."
After another impressive display during Sunday's Merseyside derby Kelly still feels slightly aggrieved that he wasn't awarded a free-kick following a challenge him from Victor Anichebe that left him on the floor and led to Everton's second goal.
"I think if the referee sees the incident again he's got to stop play because I had a head injury," he said.
"I didn't know what day it was and play should have been stopped. The next thing I noticed was I heard cheers celebrating a goal and I was a bit dazed and didn't know who had scored it!
"We could have sealed the win in the first half but that's football sometimes. We showed good character to get back in the game and get the draw.
"It was great for me to play alongside Jay Spearing in a big game like that. You can always count on Jay to play well for us and he did extremely well in the derby.
"We are two local lads who have come through the Academy together and it was really enjoyable.
"The manager has given all of the young lads a boost. It is good for a youngster to get the opportunity because we know they don't come around too often.
"With the amount of injuries that happen in a season as well you have got to be ready to play.
"Jonjo (Shelvey) has been playing and doing well when coming off the bench and I'm sure other youngsters will get their chance during the coming games."
