Liverpool rookie Martin Kelly is confident he has a long-term future in the first team.
Kelly, 20, looks likely to retain his place at right-back in the home match against Fulham on Wednesday night. He has already played all four matches under Kenny Dalglish - with Glen Johnson switching to the left - since the Scot became caretaker manager - and wants the run to continue.
Kelly said: "It has been good to play in the games. As a young player you want to play as much as you can and gain experience. To play in the Premier League is more than beneficial to me. Kenny Dalglish just wants me to go out there and show what I can do and push for a place all the time."
He added: "You have to take your chance. Now I just need to keep the consistency going. It is a totally different game at right-back to centre-half but I have found it quite easy to adapt. You get more off the ball for a start."
Dalglish, who stepped in after the departure of Roy Hodgson, saw his side win for the first time under his stewardship with a 3-0 victory at Wolves at the weekend.
Kelly has noticed a different atmosphere already around the club following the arrival of a Liverpool legend.
He said: "We have been a bit unlucky with results in the past. Hopefully they will now go our way. It is like having a 12th man with Kenny on the line encouraging us.
"We are doing a lot of football in training and that helps a lot. It is a bit more enjoyable as well, very competitive as everyone is fighting for a place in the team."
Dalglish is pleased with Kelly's progress.
"Martin's done very well for the club," said the Liverpool boss. "He's like a new signing for the club because that's four on the spin he's played now. It doesn't matter what age you are, if you are performing you'll have a chance of playing. He's certainly deserved his opportunities."
Source: PA
