Martin Kelly has a future at centre half - but Liverpool FC delighted with progress at right-back

Nov 17 2011 by Philip Kirkbride, Liverpool Echo

MARTIN KELLY’S future is at the heart of Liverpool’s defence – but the Reds are delighted with his progress as a full-back.

The 21-year-old scored in back-to-back games for England under-21s over the past week and Liverpool first team coach Steve Clarke was delighted to see him carry club form onto the international stage.

Clarke reckons Kelly – who signed a contract extension at Anfield last December to keep him at the club until 2014 – has all the attributes to be an accomplished centre-half but says there are no plans to switch him from right-back where he has made five Premier League starts this season.

Kelly is competing with senior England player Glen Johnson for a starting place in the Liverpool side but Clarke says the Reds’ youngster must not get carried away with any thoughts of appearing for Fabio Capello’s team just yet.

“Martin is feeling good in himself and feeling confident – long may it continue,” said Clarke.

“At the minute he’s playing at right-back but has the shape and physique to be a central defender. He’s built like a central defender but has done absolutely fantastic at right-back and there are no plans to move him from there at the moment.

“It is always difficult to look too far ahead and you don’t want the young players to get ahead of themselves.

“He has done great to break into the Liverpool first team and establish himself with England under-21s.

“Martin scored a good header from a corner on Monday night which was good to see because we’ve been doing a little bit of work on heading recently. It nice to see it paying off.

“If he is to become a senior player with England then he must continue to develop and work hard at his game.”