Liverpool defender Glen Johnson welcomes the competition he is coming under from younger members of the squad despite already being forced out of his regular position.
The 20-year-old Martin Kelly has started every match on the right of defence since Kenny Dalglish took charge just over a month ago, which has meant Johnson has had to fit in on the left, while youth-team full-backs John Flanagan and Jack Robinson are in the squad for Thursday's Europa League last-32 trip to Sparta Prague.
"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 the 26-year-old England international.
"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."
Source: PA
