JAMIE Carragher will always have a special connection with Liverpool having served the side with such distinction, much like that affiliation you have with your first sports bet that came in.
Replacing him however, is not the easiest of tasks. While Kolo Toure is a quick fix to a squad that needs more depth and quality in central defence, there is another player who could well match the Bootle man’s achievements.
Martin Kelly has had a tough time since making his debut for Liverpool. Not only has he had to contend with trying to impress four different managers in the early part of his career but he has also suffered a number of injuries, the latest being a debilitating anterior cruciate ligament rupture which ended his season prematurely.
In spite of these problems, he has continued to remain in the thoughts of those in charge. Having made his debut under Rafa Benitez in the Champions League against PSV, Kelly became more prominent in the first team in the 2009/10 season where he made 3 appearances but helped make up the bench in the 12 other matches. This tally may well have been more had he not suffered an injury which ruled him out for 3 months.
Despite the number changes in management, Kelly remained highly thought of with Roy Hodgson blooding him in the Europa League matches before placing faith in the youngster in the Premier League. Hodgson was rewarded by Kelly producing a strong performance in a 2-0 win over Chelsea.
Since then he featured regularly for Kenny Dalglish’s sides and looked to have cemented a first team place under Brendan Rodgers before suffering the season ending injury against Man United last season.
However, he could well prove to be a crucial figure as Brendan Rodgers looks to upgrade his team. The similarities between Carragher and Kelly are evident. Both came through the ranks at Liverpool with Carragher beginning his LFC education at the age of 10 while Kelly’s association with the club began at the age of 7.
Local born, the pair also began their time in the first team in as fullbacks, while Carragher was eventually moved to the centre of defence, Kelly is expected to make the same transition over time. Even at the national level there are parallels with both players serving England at youth levels before progressing to become full internationals.
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In a playing sense, Kelly is not quite the same vocal presence on the pitch as his elder but he has proved himself a commanding defender and shown tactical acumen in terms of both defensive discipline and making a decision to get forward. In fact, with Kelly being slightly taller and having a more complete technique than Carragher, he is in many ways the modern version of our former no.23.
Where the two differ is in playing experience. At the age of 23 Kelly has only made 54 appearances for Liverpool, whereas Carragher had made 119 by the same age. This season will therefore be a big one for Kelly.
The Whiston born fullback will enter a challenging environment as he looks to return from a major injury, with it seeming likely that he will have to contend with increased competition for his place. However, such a test could provide the precise surroundings that could see him flourish.
Kelly must draw on Carragher for inspiration if he is to seize a place in the Liverpool first team. One of best Carragher’s greatest characteristics was the way he responded to a challenge. Year on year, new signings were bought to replace him but when confronted with a rival for his position, he worked harder, trained more and executed displays that reinforced his position in the first team.
Even in his very last season, Carragher earned his place ahead of Skrtel and finished the season as he would have wanted; first choice once more. Kelly must adopt that mentality if he is to replicate the career of Liverpool’s second highest appearing player.
While Carragher the man will never be replaced with his unique wit and humility or in terms of his contribution to Liverpool, should Martin Kelly arrest the injury woes he has encountered thus far, he could well be the man to take on Carragher’s mantle.
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Kelly is a great player he we gud in central bak bt get papadulos as bak up
Papadopoulus as backup? Papa is far better than Kelly at the moment and will be our best defender in a couple of years hopefully even one of the best in Europe too.
I think Kelly will have a great future at Liverpool providing he can go on a good run injury free, every time I watch him he looks different to other defenders but cant really put my finger on it, great to have him back
Kelly or wisdom are both better bets than the over the hill Toure.
Kelly reminds me of the shankly generation Ron Yeats 21st century
that’s a little before my time but I understand he was a bit of a handful 6ft odd a built like a brick ,,,,house but also a fantastic player
He is a good player but i suggest he should use this pre season to try himself at center back so as we can see how he fairs at that position
I think Hillario is right, let him try the central position in the pre season
While I believe Martin will become a centre half, his injury history means he should stick to the less physically demanding position of full back. If he comes through unscathed then we could look at playing Martin at centre half. We must remember Martin has yet to play a full season for us yet despite making his debut nearly 4 years ago, the last thing we need is for Martin to become a sick note
Fully back is more demanding as his injuries have been on sprints. As a full back, he’d need to bust foward less and also cover much space tracking back.
Honestly I really think kelly fits into dt position cox e doesn’t overlap, even if e does, ez always quick to make a good run back to his defence
kelly need to play regularly as a cb, 100% a topclass player.
We can hope! Hopefully he WILL be more vocal in organising the defence when he gets a good run and some confidence. Good luck to him. YNWA.
Martin has got lots of potential to be a great Liverpool player. Like all players who came back from a lengthy injury , I hope hat BR will ease him slowly back into the team .Once he gain back his match fitness it will be no problem . Hopefully he stays fit for the rest season.
Yes I think kelly should be given a chance in place of carra. Why are we being linked to that toby bloke from belgium who doesn’t seem to be all that good anyway? Just play kelly in central defence instead. Johnson has the right back place so kelly needs to move to the middle as he is too good to sit on the bench
Kelly isnt a natural defender like Carra. Carra and Hyypia defended like their lives depended on it, you cant say that about any of our current show-pony defenders.
kelly is still young.. Give him time 2 develop.