Kelly or Johnson?

Just thinking for next season it seems everyone seems to forget about Martin Kelly who has been out all season. Before he was injured he didnt put a foot wrong and always give a good 7/8 out of 10 every game. If BR is buying a new CB then we may have to see Kelly play RB for another season. So im asking who u think should start if thats the case?

Johnson is more experienced and is better going forward but Kelly is the better natural defender and isnt bad going forward either. But i think if we want to tighten up defense, Kelly should start and maybe Johnson in more advanced role on the wing.

Just thinking for next season it seems everyone seems to forget about Martin Kelly who has been out all season. Before he was injured he didnt put a foot wrong and always give a good 7/8 out of 10 every game. If BR is buying a new CB then we may have to see Kelly play RB for another season. So im asking who u think should start if thats the case?

Johnson is more experienced and is better going forward but Kelly is the better natural defender and isnt bad going forward either. But i think if we want to tighten up defense, Kelly should start and maybe Johnson in more advanced role on the wing.

With injury records of Kelly, i don't like him playing the RB position next season. Now with the Knee injury he had this season, it is too risky to play the RB which will have lot of running in the system we are playing.

GJ in the wings will be a disaster. He doesn't have any end product. Playing him on the wings will completely nullify the creativity from that side. He is kind of lazy i should say. When he played the LB position, he was good. May be due to the extra effort he put because of playing a new position.

With Carra going mate is has to be Kelly for centre back for me. He is an absolute lumper of a man and we need to replace the steel of Carragher with steel. As much as i love Agger as a centre back he needs a tough partner to look after him.

Saying that mind, if we were to get a designated defensive coach in then i'd be very confident that Skrtel can retain the form he showed under Dalglish and Clarke. His loss of form after they left left serious questions to be answered.

Agree but it seems as though were going after a new CB even though i think kelly and agger could string up a good partnership! I really dont think BR likes skrtel but due to finanical contraints i think he'll get another half a season at least!

Agree but it seems as though were going after a new CB even though i think kelly and agger could string up a good partnership! I really dont think BR likes skrtel but due to finanical contraints i think he'll get another half a season at least!

The thing is that Skrtel hasn't become a bad player overnight. He didn't just turn into a bad player. Anyone can see that the loss of Clarke has impacted on our defence this Season and Rodgers has to address this in the Summer or it will be more of the same next Season.

You build from the back.

The thing is that Skrtel hasn't become a bad player overnight. He didn't just turn into a bad player. Anyone can see that the loss of Clarke has impacted on our defence this Season and Rodgers has to address this in the Summer or it will be more of the same next Season.

You build from the back.

Great point and one i didnt think of about Clarke last season we were solid enough at the back with not scoring enough goals and it is the complete oppositet this season!

Been done to death this argument and my answer is always the same - Martin Kelly every F***ing time. I just don't rate Johnson as a right back, never have and chances are I never will.

His, supposed, attacking threat doesn't cut for me either anymore. I used to believe all that sh*te as well but for this great attacking defender, his ability to cross a ball is F***ing awful at times. He wastes too much time trying to go past people and dallying on the ball. Then it takes him a F***ing week to get back in position because he just casually jogs rather than busting his balls to make up for his error. And nine times our of ten he ends up in the wrong position when he does get back. He's a liability defensively and has been proven to be so too often again this year and I don't think he's great going forward - as a right back.

However, if the question was changed to Enrique or Johnson for the left back slot then I would be only too happy to see Glen play as he's much better on the opposite flank, his defending seems to improve there and Enrique, like Johnson, is another of the vastly overrated players we possess. He too is too slow with the ball when going forward, his defending is shocking at times and his inability to use his right foot is enough to drive me up the wall. The number of times he cuts inside, realises he hasn't got a right foot, tries to turn back to his left and ends up losing the ball is scandalous.

You might of guessed that I don't rate either Johnson or Enrique that highly. And wouldn't lose any sleep if either, or even both, were sold during the summer.

Which makes me wonder just how the F**k we've kept more clean sheets than any other club, bar City, in the League this year.

But back to the actual answer - next year, I'd have Martin Kelly starting every single possible at right back.

Been done to death this argument and my answer is always the same - Martin Kelly every f**king time. I just don't rate Johnson as a right back, never have and chances are I never will.

His, supposed, attacking threat doesn't cut for me either anymore. I used to believe all that sh*te as well but for this great attacking defender, his ability to cross a ball is f**king awful at times. He wastes too much time trying to go past people and dallying on the ball. Then it takes him a f**king week to get back in position because he just casually jogs rather than busting his balls to make up for his error. And nine times our of ten he ends up in the wrong position when he does get back. He's a liability defensively and has been proven to be so too often again this year and I don't think he's great going forward - as a right back.

However, if the question was changed to Enrique or Johnson for the left back slot then I would be only too happy to see Glen play as he's much better on the opposite flank, his defending seems to improve there and Enrique, like Johnson, is another of the vastly overrated players we possess. He too is too slow with the ball when going forward, his defending is shocking at times and his inability to use his right foot is enough to drive me up the wall. The number of times he cuts inside, realises he hasn't got a right foot, tries to turn back to his left and ends up losing the ball is scandalous.

You might of guessed that I don't rate either Johnson or Enrique that highly. And wouldn't lose any sleep if either, or even both, were sold during the summer.

Which makes me wonder just how the f**k we've kept more clean sheets than any other club, bar City, in the League this year.

But back to the actual answer - next year, I'd have Martin Kelly starting every single possible at right back.

Always loved Kelly as a defender and as an attacker. I totally agree with this as well as the idea of Johnson ahead of Enrique at left back. I'm just gutted about his injury record. But let's hope that the injuries will stop as it has done with Agger and Gerrard.

Glen Johnson every single day of the week. If Martin Kelly was as amazingly good and Johnson as alarmingly bad as everyone wants to make out, Glen would have been sold years ago and not been a continual starter selected by four different managers at this club.

As it is, and given Kelly's injury record, it's going to continue being Glen Johnson as the starter until Ryan McLaughlin is ready to make senior appearances. He looks the most natural RB out of any of them. Martin is a great second option though, and I'm interested to see him play his natural CB position.

Been done to death this argument and my answer is always the same - Martin Kelly every f**king time. I just don't rate Johnson as a right back, never have and chances are I never will.

His, supposed, attacking threat doesn't cut for me either anymore. I used to believe all that sh*te as well but for this great attacking defender, his ability to cross a ball is f**king awful at times. He wastes too much time trying to go past people and dallying on the ball. Then it takes him a f**king week to get back in position because he just casually jogs rather than busting his balls to make up for his error. And nine times our of ten he ends up in the wrong position when he does get back. He's a liability defensively and has been proven to be so too often again this year and I don't think he's great going forward - as a right back.

I agree i dont think johnson's delivery is that great and i feel that kelly is a great crosser of the ball! I also feel that he gives 100% every game and busts his balls to get back were johnson is more laidback!

Thats why i think Johnson should play wide with Kelly RB think they would compliment each other!

Not this again?

I'll have a check back to what I've said every other time it's been asked and (if I can find it) cut n paste a reply.

Wisdom, with Johnson on the left.

Wisdom, with Johnson on the left.

This was the first thought in my mind when I read the headline of the topic!

This was the first thought in my mind when I read the headline of the topic!

Kelly can get right for CB.

Said for a long time that I thought Kelly had the potential to be better than Johnson, certainly more consistent but I also believe he has the chance to develop into a first class centre half.

Considering Brendan already tried to sign him as a centre half they may not be competing against each other too much next season. At the moment though, if Kelly were fit, there'd be no question, Glen has been awful for most of the second half of this season and that's a surprise because I quite like Glen and have to question why there's been such an alarming drop in form. Hopefully we get the Glen back of the start of the season next year because I don't see for one moment Brendan bringing in anyone at right back.

Glen on form is perfect for Brendans system but his form for the past few months has been shocking.

Like Billy I always think he plays better on the left and certainly defends a lot better so I'd play him LB and Kelly or Wisdom RB.

Glen on form is perfect for Brendans system but his form for the past few months has been shocking.

Like Billy I always think he plays better on the left and certainly defends a lot better so I'd play him LB and Kelly or Wisdom RB.

So Enrique should be dropped even though he has been far better than any of those mentioned this season? Seems a bit harsh.


For me it would depend on who we are playing, where we are playing and our league position at the time. Kelly offers us a stronger defensive option but Johnson offers us a much stronger attacking player who can create chances. Want my honest answer? As an alternative I would play Kelly right back if we sign a strong quality centre back in the summer and play Johnson as part of the front 3 instead of Downing but if we do not sign a quality centre back then this is what I would do (based on the players we have at the moment)...

Reina

Kelly Wisdom Agger Enrique

Lucas
Gerrard Coutinho

Johnson Sturridge Suarez

Or you could make a case for Kelly and Wisdom swapping positions. I think Johnson offers a lot more in that position than Downing does and it would take a lot of responsibility defensive wise away from Johnson and would give him the license to do what he does best. With Johnson as RW I would play Kelly right back because he seems stronger in that position than Wisdom does.

No way Johnson can play in the right of a front three.

So Enrique should be dropped even though he has been far better than any of those mentioned this season? Seems a bit harsh.

Sorry lad but that's gold. Enrique has been far better than nobody this year, he's been F***ing awful for large parts. He was slaughtered from pillar to post at the start of the season, rightfully so. He got dropped from the starting XI. Then his form picked up, slightly, when asked to play on the left wing  and has dipped off again since moving back to the full back position.

He played one good ball to Suarez against Newcastle and since has decided to try it play every game with very little success.

As I said earlier, Enrique, like Johnson, is one of the vastly overrated players we possess.

Sorry lad but that's gold. Enrique has been far better than nobody this year, he's been f**king awful for large parts. He was slaughtered from pillar to post at the start of the season, rightfully so. He got dropped from the starting XI. Then his form picked up, slightly, when asked to play on the left wing  and has dipped off again since moving back to the full back position.

He played one good ball to Suarez against Newcastle and since has decided to try it play every game with very little success.

As I said earlier, Enrique, like Johnson, is one of the vastly overrated players we possess.

And Kelly isn't? I mean, you have to admit, he gets a lot more hype than Enrique, for example, and surely he'd have displaced Johnson by now?

And Kelly isn't? I mean, you have to admit, he gets a lot more hype than Enrique, for example, and surely he'd have displaced Johnson by now?

During the early parts of the season, Kelly did displace Johnson and in turn Enrique got fu**ed off out the side. Marty has since got a serious injury which is the only reason why Enrique is back in the side. When Kelly has been fit in the last two years, by and large he's played. Kenny and Brendan picked him ahead of Johnson as a right back. The problem is, he's had serious injuries throughout his career even going to back his youth days.

And no, Kelly isn't vastly overrated. He's actually underrated by a lot of Liverpool fans.

During the early parts of the season, Kelly did displace Johnson and in turn Enrique got fu**ed off out the side. Marty has since got a serious injury which is the only reason why Enrique is back in the side. When Kelly has been fit in the last two years, by and large he's played. Kenny and Brendan picked him ahead of Johnson as a right back. The problem is, he's had serious injuries throughout his career even going to back his youth days.

And no, Kelly isn't vastly overrated. He's actually underrated by a lot of Liverpool fans.

Neither of those are true because you've got the order a bit mixed up there. Kelly didn't displace Johnson at all. Enrique being injured or out of form moved Johnson to LB as he's the only player in the squad who can adequately fill-in, so Kelly came in at RB once Johnson gets moved. If we had a legit backup at LB, Glen wouldn't have been moved.

I don't dislike Johnson, bit I have more faith in Kelly on all fronts.

Here's a better question, how about Johnson as a winger?

Neither of those are true because you've got the order a bit mixed up there. Kelly didn't displace Johnson at all. Enrique being injured or out of form moved Johnson to LB as he's the only player in the squad who can adequately fill-in, so Kelly came in at RB once Johnson gets moved. If we had a legit backup at LB, Glen wouldn't have been moved.

Don't talk sh*te lad.

Kelly was first choice right back at the start of the season. Johnson was moved because Brendan, rightly so, believes Kelly is our best right back.

The only reason Enrique is playing left back and Johnson on the right, right now is because Kelly is injured. Brendan has shown that Martin Kelly is his first choice right back.

Kelly all day long. Johnson has seemed to have lost it now, he isn't even that effective going forward anymore. Also nervy whenever he is having to defend where as when Kelly plays I am confident that he wont get beaten, not to mention he is good in attack too. Having said that, maybe move him to centre back as Carra's replacement.

I think Glen's stock has dropped this season. Questions about his defensive ability have always been argued away by 'attack is best form of defense'/but he's so good going forward.  But in a lot of the games I've seen him this season, he's lacked end product and looked a mite slow on the ball. I like Jonno, on his day he's really good, and he can finish, but we need consistency and he's missing the bit of steel from his game that would make him more dependable.

Hmm, that might be harsh though. Reckon we have bigger problems to resolve in other positions, particularly centre back.

Don't talk sh*te lad.

Kelly was first choice right back at the start of the season. Johnson was moved because Brendan, rightly so, believes Kelly is our best right back.

The only reason Enrique is playing left back and Johnson on the right, right now is because Kelly is injured. Brendan has shown that Martin Kelly is his first choice right back.

Pretty sure you're forgetting Enrique started the season injured with pain in his knee.

Enrique:

- wasn't in the 18 vs West Brom
- came off the bench vs City (replaced Kelly, not Johnson, it's worth noting)
- started vs Arsenal (Kelly was an unused sub as Johnson was back to RB)
- Enrique did go back to the bench at Sunderland and vs United, at which point Kelly got injured.

All of which would indicate that it had more to do with Enrique being injured or out of form than anything else.

And this is nothing against Martin Kelly, by the way. I think he's a great back. But it's incorrect to say he was ahead of Johnson.

Dont see wht the arguement here about LFC players. each has his own qualities. i for one am a fan of Kelly cos i always have a soft spot for any of our academy players promoted to the first team. For Kelly i believe his future is at the center of the defence, thats where i see his quality being fully utilised and the occassional spells at right back.

I think Glen is above average and should still be a starter in the First team unless we get a good price for him, but i dont support him being benched for Kelly, not at the right back position, yes he has had some bad games this season, but i still believe he's the best full back we have in the team in both positions. He is poor with his final ball but he is miles ahead Wisdom, Kelly and Enrique in that department. their final delivery leaves a lot to be desired. His other advantage over the others is the fact that he also has an eye for a shot and can use both feet.

I never liked Enrique from when he was signed but i have to admit he has vastly improved compared to when he first signed, but still again if we get a good price for him, i would sell him.

In conclusion, I believe barring any new signings in the full back positions, I think we have enough chances for all these 4 players to get some quality minutes during the course of next season, so really i dont see any reason to choose or say who's better cos there's no benefit to the arguement.

Johnson stays as first choice RB, Kelly promote to first choice CB, buy Micah Richards to compete with Johnson, promote Wisdom as 4th choice CB, send Coates out on loan, if Skrtel agrees to start again as a sub and support the team then Skrtel stays, Robinson as second choice LB and our defence are set for next season. 

Johnson stays as first choice RB, Kelly promote to first choice CB, buy Micah Richards to compete with Johnson, promote Wisdom as 4th choice CB, send Coates out on loan, if Skrtel agrees to start again as a sub and support the team then Skrtel stays, Robinson as second choice LB and our defence are set for next season. 

I don't think we will see this. Skrtel is really struggling playing the high line. Kelly never played the CB position for a long time. Agger needs a strong and tall CD who can organize the defence. Kelly may become that player, but he is too young and injury prone to play as regular in that position, especially when Agger   likes to go forward at times, we should really want an experienced player out there.

Been done to death this argument and my answer is always the same - Martin Kelly every F***ing time. I just don't rate Johnson as a right back, never have and chances are I never will.

His, supposed, attacking threat doesn't cut for me either anymore. I used to believe all that sh*te as well but for this great attacking defender, his ability to cross a ball is F***ing awful at times. He wastes too much time trying to go past people and dallying on the ball. Then it takes him a F***ing week to get back in position because he just casually jogs rather than busting his balls to make up for his error. And nine times our of ten he ends up in the wrong position when he does get back. He's a liability defensively and has been proven to be so too often again this year and I don't think he's great going forward - as a right back.

However, if the question was changed to Enrique or Johnson for the left back slot then I would be only too happy to see Glen play as he's much better on the opposite flank, his defending seems to improve there and Enrique, like Johnson, is another of the vastly overrated players we possess. He too is too slow with the ball when going forward, his defending is shocking at times and his inability to use his right foot is enough to drive me up the wall. The number of times he cuts inside, realises he hasn't got a right foot, tries to turn back to his left and ends up losing the ball is scandalous.

You might of guessed that I don't rate either Johnson or Enrique that highly. And wouldn't lose any sleep if either, or even both, were sold during the summer.

Which makes me wonder just how the F**k we've kept more clean sheets than any other club, bar City, in the League this year.

But back to the actual answer - next year, I'd have Martin Kelly starting every single possible at right back.

This. Every single time.

Glad you wrote this Billy. I would of been hammered for saying the exact same thing. Johnson is terrible and I also prefer him at left back. He concentrates more.

Wouldn't mind have two new full backs but I still like Enrique. He's strong as hell and recovery is terrific. Only thing I hate is his willingness to cut in on his non existent right foot.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Couldn't agree more both Enrique & Johnson are erractic at best
Both must have been balerina's in a previous life twirling round endlessly
Great going forward cant defend THE END..

If Kelly hasn't lost anything due to the injury then I think it's his time to have a real run in the team.

So we're still thinking Kelly should play right back? I'd really like him to move into CB, where I think his future lies.

So we're still thinking Kelly should play right back? I'd really like him to move into CB, where I think his future lies.

Good to have a player that will hopefully be able to play effectively at both right back and centre back. Carra was playing at right back but always seemed more destined for CB and it's the same with Kelly.

I'd still have Johnson. If Kelly was the better full back, he would have replaced Johnson as the full back when fit. he hasn't. Kelly has only played full back when Johnson has played LB, and Johnson has never been moved to accommodate Kelly. If that was so, then why haven't we seen Kelly & Enrique as the full backs with Johnson on the bench at any stage?

I'm a big fan of Johnson's, always have been. Think he was brilliant in the first section of our season. He was a very central figure to our creative play, and nearly always available for an outlet ball to carry the ball forward from deep with Allen was dithering with it. His form has taken a serious hit for the worse since February, although he did regain some form against Fulham, the goal aside. Maybe it's due to the fact that there is serious rumours that he has been told he can leave?

I'm a fan of Kelly, but he needs games, and lots of them. Rodgers has said he tried to loan him as a CB fro Swansea, so maybe this is where he will play him when everyone is fit. Also, he seems to have a lot of hamstring & muscle problems. I don't know if this is due to growing pains/ increase in fitness pressure or just him, but playing CB could suit him better than at RB as he won't be under as much pressure to be running up & down the line all game, and heavy sprints, stretching for balls to cross etc as he is not the fastest player in the world either. They could all be factors in his muscle injuries. 

Also, does Kelly have the technique needed to be a tricky, crossing full back in an attack minded team? It's been a while since we saw him play like, and it's not as if we have 50 games to base it on. I can't imagine him beating too many players with a trick and getting a cross in like. You can with Johnson.

I'd still have Johnson, with Kelly as a more than capable cover, but would prefer to try Kelly as a CB, grooming him there, playing some games at RB if needed.

I'd still have Johnson. If Kelly was the better full back, he would have replaced Johnson as the full back when fit. he hasn't. Kelly has only played full back when Johnson has played LB, and Johnson has never been moved to accommodate Kelly. If that was so, then why haven't we seen Kelly & Enrique as the full backs with Johnson on the bench at any stage?

He had replaced Johnson on a few occasions, more so last season because he's been out most of this. As for not seeing Glen on the bench, Enrique was in a poor run of form, playing far worse than Johnson and we have nobody else who can play at left back so it had to be Johnson that played there. We only really have 3 full backs at the club who are ready to be playing week in week out so we can't afford to have 2 of them on the bench at the same time.
In fact I think it was actually Kelly's good form that led to Johnson first really getting a stint playing at left back under Kenny and I'm sure if Kelly hadn't gotten injured then Johnson would have found himself on the bench, especially with his piss poor form since the new year.

Kelly has only played full back when Johnson has played LB, and Johnson has never been moved to accommodate Kelly. If that was so, then why haven't we seen Kelly & Enrique as the full backs with Johnson on the bench at any stage?

Thank God. I thought I was going crazy

He had replaced Johnson on a few occasions, more so last season because he's been out most of this. As for not seeing Glen on the bench, Enrique was in a poor run of form, playing far worse than Johnson and we have nobody else who can play at left back so it had to be Johnson that played there. We only really have 3 full backs at the club who are ready to be playing week in week out so we can't afford to have 2 of them on the bench at the same time.
In fact I think it was actually Kelly's good form that led to Johnson first really getting a stint playing at left back under Kenny and I'm sure if Kelly hadn't gotten injured then Johnson would have found himself on the bench, especially with his piss poor form since the new year.

I don't think so mate. Johnson was moved to LB initially because Kenny got rid of Konchesky on loan. Insua was already on loan, which meant the only LB we had was the always-fit-never-injured Fabio Aurelio We did have Robinson in the reserves for emergency purposes. So, Glen was moved because we didn't have a suitable player to fill-in at LB.

As for last season, I can't recall anytime in which Enrique was LB and Kelly was RB. Enrique made something like 35 appearances in the league last year.