The argument is simple, if both players are fit and Kenny doesn’t decide to play Johnson in the middle (which he did try out last season), who will play at right back? So Johnson does give us an amazing attacking option and is an exciting player but I really think that, 21-year-old, Martin Kelly is more sound defensively. Even though he has only made 28 appearances for Liverpool, 12 in the league last season, fans already have so much trust in the player. When Johnson is present very little gets past him but in nearly every fixture that Kelly played in, next to nothing got passed him!
Funny enough, he too is also really quick and we have seen him charge down the flank and even attempt a couple Johnson specials. His ball control is not as good as Glen’s, thus his dribbling could improve, and his shots are not nearly as venomous but I do think he gives us all that a fullback needs to give. He is level-headed for such a young man, strong, takes no nonsense, and can put in a pretty decent cross. Kelly is also taller than Johnson and has shown us he is not scared to use his height to header away dangerous balls. Liverpool has really had a knack in the last couple years for picking short fullbacks. Remember Emiliano Insua. Johnson is by no means ‘short’ or bad with his head, but Kelly does have a few inches on him.
Many fans expect Johnson to get the first team spot next season but they undermine the weight that this decision carries. It is a very tough choice and it will be interesting to see what Kenny does. Whenever I start leaning towards Kelly I just think of Johnson’s incredible overlapping runs and attacking ability, and how I don’t want us to lose that. I myself cannot make a decision and will choose to sit on the fence with this one. All we know is that we will have a brilliant right back next season.
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Kelly Right Back with Johnson ahead of him
I have a feeling one of them will be used as the right winger with Young Flanagan as the back up. All 3 have been very impressive.
we should play 3 5 2 that way we can use about half of the midfielders on our books.
We’re lucky to have both these players, but Kenny is wrong IMO to convert Glen into a LWB! Glen is blessed with that ability to go forward and Kenny should have the conversation with him to move him to a Right wing position! Agree with Stan above and playing a 3-5-2, but then we must get a world class CB to play in the middle. May be Simon Kjaaer?, but he must be a younger version of Carra (Carra is a “stay at home” CB and the best at it!), who will sacrifice their body for the greater good! and we’d have to change our plan and not focus on having CB’s that move forward if there are 5 mids! To be honest, by having Glen and Martin, we only need an effective LW and that would mean going after the likes of Mata, Downing, Georginio Wijnaldum, Carzola or even Guardado (under-rated). Unfortunately, it looks like Raul will be leaving us with just under 1 season under his belt, so if LFC are really going after Adam, then he better come good!…Glen for RW and Martin for RB and the potential to go to CB in the future with Wisdom!
Kelly should play CB starting next season beginning as a back up slowly replacing Carra in the First 11 provided Agger remains fit or is still at the club.Glen at RB and Flano as back up.
Haha I posted my comment and then saw we said exactly the sane thing!
HAHA….good to know someone shares an opinion.
We should forget about signing a new centre-back! Move Kelly into central defense next to Agger (when he’s fit, Carra or Skrtel when he’s not) with Johnson at right-back and Flanagan as his back up. Sign a left-back (would love Baines but that’ll never happen) with Robinson as his backup and our defense is sorted.
When is Agger ever fit for more than 5 games in a row????….AGGER SHOULD BE SOLD (along with Skrtel) for a less fragile CB…Actually we need a beast at CB and a player of Cissokho’s ability is a MUST!
I’d keep Skrtel as back up. He may not be the most assuring CB but on his day he could be more than a handful for any striker. Besides, he likes playing for the club and wouldn’t throw a tantrum if he didn’t play every minute. I agree that we need a CB who can handle strong strikers like Carroll.
Personally, I’d stick johnson at right back and throw Kelly back in his familiar cb position with carra. YNWA
what i saw here… johnson a great player… he can move at back.. wings.. right or left… he can score too.. so.. he still good player in 25 – 28 years old era.
dont sell this player .. he so usefull por the team.. i like to be no 1 choise at right back.
kelly will backing cara and him and johnson can fill to cover LB place..
17 million – he was play 3rd seasson .. thats ok..
now.. liverpool must find LB faster… Clicy are look good or maybe enrique or someone. If we want cheap cost, we must get player from 2nd ligue, or call back insua. thats a real problem. I think insua will give his best action because he was play more matured.
and like to sell agger because he not very aggressive or johnson will play at left and kelly at right. When we play thats.. we was steps up from bottom to six… whats a problems? call insua back for backing line.
we must get more 1 powerfull striker option..
very prolific..hunger.. i like to take andrian
( spain )
we must bring 2 quality winger to make game a good movement.
we must bring 1 more flank player like mata to give another style
and get 1 more defender