Johnson Happy To Play Anywhere

Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has put a positive spin on losing his spot at right-back to Martin Kelly, insisting the competition for places is a positive sign for the club.

The 20-year-old Kelly has started every match on the right side of defence since Kenny Dalglish took charge just over a month ago, which has meant Johnson has had to fit in on the left.

However, also included in the squad which travelled to face Sparta Prague in Thursday night's Europa League last-32 tie were youth team full-backs John Flanagan (18) and Jack Robinson (17). Johnson does not feel threatened by the pretenders to his crown, insisting it shows the club has a healthy system growing beneath the first team and that he is happy to help out the team where necessary.

"It shows everyone where the club is going and it is always nice to have young lads competing for places, being involved and being around the team,'' said Johnson. "It is good for them and their careers and competition for places is healthy for any team. I'm playing out of position but I'm happy to do a job for the team.

"Sometimes through your career you have to do things which suit the team but not yourself but I'm more than happy to do it for the team. We haven't done too much work on it (playing on the left), when we've done the team shape I line up there and that is pretty much it. Obviously the more games you play the more comfortable you get and I don't feel too out of position to be honest.''

Dalglish praised Johnson for fitting in with the team ethic.

"The team is more important than any one individual,'' he said. "And without trying to undermine the importance of the individual it is great credit he is prepared to play there because he is England's right-back but he has done an excellent job for us on the left. The team's needs come first and you can tell by his comments he fully appreciates that. We appreciate it is maybe not his first choice but it is better than being substitute.''

Johnson is likely to again line up on the left on Thursday night against Sparta Prague as Dalglish features in his first European match as Liverpool boss.