Football - Liverpool FC: Martin Kelly hands Rafael Benitez a fitness boost

Feb 2 2010 by David Randles, Liverpool Daily Post

Football - Liverpool FC: MARTIN KELLY handed Rafael Benitez a transfer window boost last night when he completed his comeback from injury.

The Liverpool defender came through 45 minutes of the reserves’ 2-0 win over Bolton to help book a place in the Senior Cup semi-final.

It was Kelly’s first appearance since his impressive performance against Lyon in the Champions League back in October and could solve Benitez’s problems at right-back.

The Liverpool manager had been looking to bring in cover for the injured Glen Johnson during the transfer window.

Benitez had been linked with a move for Greek defender Vasilis Torosidis with reports last night saying a deal was close.

However, Kelly’s return to fitness could fill the void left by Johnson’s continued absence as the England international recovers from medial ligament damage sustained in the 1-0 win at Aston Villa last month.

Jamie Carragher has deputised at right-back this season, as has Philipp Degen and Kelly’s felllow Academy graduate Stephen Darby who has made three first team appearances.

Nabil El Zhar also figured against Bolton reserves.

The Moroccan international replaced Kelly at half-time as he also marked a successful return from injury.

Meanwhile, Benitez has praised Greek centre-back Sotirios Kyrgiakos.

The Greece international arrived at Anfield last August as cover for Jamie Carragher, Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger.

With Agger injured and Carragher drafted across to the right in recent weeks, Kyrgiakos has turned in a string of impressive performances for Liverpool.

He scored in a 1-1 draw at Stoke last month and was man-of-the-match in last week’s goalless draw at Wolves before putting in another solid display in the 2-0 win over Bolton on Saturday.

Liverpool have kept five clean sheets in their last six league games, three of which Kyrgiakos has been involved in.

Asked about the former AEK Athens man, Benitez said: “What has Sotirios brought? Headers. He is strong and he likes the challenge.

“It is something that we needed and right now he is doing well. His attitude has been contagious.

“Kevin Davies is very strong and it is not easy to stop him in the air, so Sotirios did really well.

“He lost one tooth in the game and that shows how hard it can be.”