Jamie Carragher has attributed Martin Kelly's rise at Liverpool to the arrival of Kenny Dalglish as manager.
Under former Anfield and newly appointed West Brom manager Roy Hodgson, Kelly saw limited first-team chances in the Premier League and was reduced to appearances predominantly in the Europa League.
But since Dalglish’s introduction in January, Kelly has failed to appear in just one of the nine games the Scot has managed.
First-choice right-back Glen Johnson has been ousted from his role to accommodate Kelly and with the England international plying his trade confidently on his unnatural opposite flank, the 20-year-old looks set to cement his place in the first-team.
The 20-year-old has started all but one of Kenny Dalglish's nine matches in charge since the Scot was installed as Reds boss until the end of the season last month.
Carragher insists Kelly’s form is down to Dalglish’s belief in the club’s younger players and the veteran is impressed at how the right-back has settle into his role.
"Since Kenny's come in, he's really taken off," Carragher told LFC Weekly.
"I remember in his full debut against Lyon [last season] he was outstanding. Then he got injured and when that happens, it's difficult to get another chance.
"Since the United game, England's first-choice right-back [Glen Johnson] has been getting picked at left-back so that shows you how well he's done and how highly he's regarded.”
Carragher insists Kelly has much to learn but the 33-year-old believes his team-mate’s pace and energy should serve him well in future campaigns.
"He's still young and his understanding of the game will develop with experience but he's already a fantastic athlete,” said Carragher.
“His pace means he can get out of trouble when he does make a mistake. That ability to recover with speed was something I never had and he has that in abundance.
“I was in the stand against Everton and when he made that run past Leighton Baines, I thought it was Thierry Henry against me all those years ago. It was turbo charged.
"Modern full-backs need to be tall and Martin is very good at defending headers at the back post.”
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