Johnson enjoying new role

02 November 2013 09:31

Liverpool defender Glen Johnson is enjoying the new-found freedom given to him playing wing-back but admits he is just pleased to be playing again.

The England international missed six weeks of the season with a knee injury but returned a fortnight ago in a new role in front of a back-three.

In this new system Johnson is able to utilise his propensity to get forward to even greater effect.

"It's ideal for me. I think the wing-back role suits me and it's just good to be back playing again," he said.

"It all depends on the game itself, really, but I've got more freedom to go forward.

"Obviously it's difficult to be box-to-box for 90 minutes, almost impossible, so you have to play the game as it comes, go forward at the right times and defend at the right times.

"Hopefully I can get some goals. Every player enjoys scoring goals and the more you get the better it is for the team."

Liverpool head into their top-of-the-table clash at Arsenal on Saturday evening full of confidence after their 4-1 demolition of West Brom last weekend.

There has been a more positive feeling around Anfield this season and Johnson believes team spirit is playing a significant part.

"We've always had a good mood in the dressing room," Johnson told liverpoolfc.com.

"There's a good bunch of lads, everyone's willing to work hard and I think that's showing in the games. Everyone's willing to fight for each other."

On the other flank Aly Cissokho has replaced Jose Enrique, who has a knee problem, in the last couple of matches and he too is relishing the chance to get forward.

"It's a role I like because I can get up the field a lot, while remaining safe in terms of the three men behind me," he said.

"It gives me a lot of freedom, which allows me to give everything to the team. It's important to get up and down the left side."

In his only two Premier League starts the Frenchman, on loan from Valencia, has seen strikers Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge score five goals between them.

"I think they are total forwards who have a good rapport and they are technically very good," he told LFC TV.

"They are one of the best attacking partnerships in Europe. It is clear they are world-class strikers who are going to score a lot of goals for us and keep us near the top of the league."

Source: PA