Why Martin Kelly is a sign of good things to come for Liverpool

Even though he is just twenty years of age, Martin Kelly is proving to be a key player in Kenny Dalglish’s new look Liverpool side. Compared in many quarters to a young Jamie Carragher, it is easy to forget just how young the Whiston-born defender is. He certainly shares the same self-assuredness and commitment as the Liverpool vice-captain, looking at home at the back in a resurgent Liverpool team. Playing as part of a back four and a back five, Kelly has rarely put a foot wrong.

Kelly made his first Liverpool appearance as a substitute against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League in December 2008. Soon after, he went on loan to Huddersfield Town where he made seven appearances towards the end of the season, securing a top-half finish for the Terriers.

Kelly’s first start in a red shirt was in Liverpool’s ill-fated Champions League campaign last season, against Olympique Lyonnais. In a match where the senior players failed to perform, Kelly was voted Man of the Match in an excellent debut performance. Sadly for Kelly and for Liverpool, he was taken off injured midway through the second half and didn’t return to action until four months later.

It has been this season however, that Kelly has really impressed. Kelly made his twentieth appearance of the season at Stamford Bridge and has made the right back slot his own. Glen Johnson has been shifted to left back in order to accommodate them both. Starting nine out of Liverpool’s ten Europa League fixtures under Roy Hodgson, Kelly has taken the opportunities afforded to him.

The team have recorded four wins on the bounce without conceding a goal, and this is in no small part down to Kelly’s performances at the back. He has started all seven fixtures since Kenny Dalglish took charge in January. A centre-back by trade, Kelly has fit in seamlessly at full-back. His distribution is excellent; it was his through ball to Gerrard in the build up to Raul Meireles’ goal at Chelsea last week, and he is confidence on the ball, which will serve him well under Dalglish, who, unlike his predecessor, has his defenders play their way out of trouble and build from the back.

Kelly has turned in good performances at Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford, and seems to be handling the pressure well. Alongside a rejuvenated Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger, a fully fit Jamie Carragher, and Johnson at left back, Liverpool are looking a lot meaner at the back. Following their 2-0 defeat of Stoke City, Liverpool recorded a positive goal difference for the first time this season.

Kelly has been a regular for the England youth teams, making his under-21 debut in August. Already there have been calls in the media for a senior international call-up, having ousted Johnson from the right back slot at club level, why shouldn’t he be able to do the same for his country? Should all go well, it shouldn’t be too long before Kelly can call himself a Liverpool and England regular.

For Liverpool, the future is bright. Other Academy graduates Connor Coady, Suso and Reheem Sterling are getting rave reviews for the Reserves, and with players such as Kelly, Jonjo Shelvey and Jay Spearing all getting increased playing time under Dalglish, Liverpool may be in a position to have a young player finally make the step up in a way not seen since Steven Gerrard in 1998.

With Dalglish back at the helm, supported by a progressive ownership, the record breaking transfers of Andy Carroll and Luis Suárez, as well as the promise of many more Academy graduates breaking through; it is only a matter of time before the Reds start to compete for top honours once more.