LIVERPOOL defender Martin Kelly is happy to be Mr Versatile as he battles to force his way into Brendan Rodgers’ plans.

The 22-year-old is hoping to play some part in today’s friendly against Tottenham in Baltimore (kick-off 6pm UK time) after enjoying his first week under Rodgers’ reign.

Kelly, who joined the tour of North America along with the Reds’ other England internationals on Monday, has spent most of his 47 appearances for the club at right-back but also offers the new boss an option at centre-back.

“I’ll play wherever the manager wants me to play,” he said. “I can play in either position. I’m looking to see where the managers wants me and then I’ve got to make the most of the opportunities I get.

“It’s been great to see all the lads again and it’s been positive to be around the new manager. It’s really hot out here but the lads have been training really hard and getting so much out of the games.

“The way the boss plays takes a bit of getting used but we are adapting quickly. It’s a positive way to play and everyone is enjoying it. I think any fan who has seen the squad train over the past couple of weeks will be really excited about the new season.”

Kelly goes into the new campaign on a high after being called into the full England squad for Euro 2012. He made his debut in the warm-up game against Norway and although he didn’t feature in the championships, Kelly relished the experience. He added: “It was a massive privilege for me to go away with such quality players They accepted me so quickly and the other Liverpool players helped me feel right at home. I took a lot from those four weeks. Training day in day out with so many top class defenders has to help my game. I learned a lot.”

Rodgers’ men will have to contend with 35 degree heat and a tricky playing surface at the M&T Bank Stadium today.

Real turf has been put down on top of the artificial pitch which is used for American Football and during yesterday’s training session balls hardly bounced.

Lucas Leiva is set to feature after coming through the Reds’ opening two friendlies against Toronto and Roma unscathed.

The Brazil midfielder, who is back after eight months out with a knee injury, is keen to ensure Liverpool finish their tour on a high.

“When you play against a Premier League side you always want to win even if it’s a friendly game,” he said.

“But out main target is to get the fitness back as quickly as possible. Playing against a good opponent will be helpful for us and it should be a great game.

“We were a bit unlucky in the last game against Roma because we had plenty of chances to win it. My knee is fine and I’ve had no reaction from the games or the training. Progress has been good and there is nothing to worry about. I just need to keep going.”

Liverpool fly home tomorrow but there will be little respite as plans begin for Thursday’s Europa League third qualifying round tie first leg against FC Gomel in Belarus.

“The timing is not the best, but it’s out of our control,” Lucas added. “We’ve had a lot of international players coming back from the Euros who don’t have much time to get their fitness back. But there are a lot of young players training well so we will see what the manager decides. He was very clear when we had a meeting that all the competitions we’re in we will try to win. We have to go there, play and try to get a result to qualify.”

Spurs, who began their tour with a 1-1 draw against LA Galaxy on Tuesday, will be without Jermain Defoe who has flown home following the death of his cousin.

Scott Parker didn’t travel to the States, while Rafael Van der Vaart and Kyle Walker were injured in midweek.