Kelly reacts to Capello words

But the 21-year-old insists the fame and fortune that come with being a Premier League footballer will never change him - and he has more reason than most not to take anything for granted.

It wasn't so long ago that Kelly's progress through Liverpool's youth ranks almost stalled completely due to a back injury which kept him off the pitch for the most part of two years.

The best case scenario may have transpired, with Fabio Capello the latest observer to go public as a fan two weeks ago, but the trauma of this period still lingers in his mind.

"It's exciting as a youth England player to hear that from an England manager but I've not been up there and trained with the senior side yet," said Kelly after the Italian called him a 'really interesting' player who played a 'good, good game' against Arsenal.

"Obviously I can still play for the U21s and helping them qualify for the Euros is the main objective. I've been brought up to have my feet on the ground and that's where they will stay.

"I don't think you can take anything for granted in football. Things change so quickly. You've got to be on top of your game all the time, there's always competition coming in. You've got to keep working hard because it's a short career and you have to make the most of it.

"The injury made me a stronger character. I missed nearly two years of my growth but if you keep working at it and take your chances - that's what you need to do in football. There are millions of kids out there looking for a chance and (when it comes) you've got to take it."

It is no secret that some Kopites' interest in England extends only to hoping Liverpool's contingent return from games without any injuries.

But you won't catch Kelly holding any 'We're not English, we are Scouse' banners.

"One of my all-time ambitions, even if I'm not in the squad, is to see England win a World Cup," he said.

"While I'm alive I want to see England win a World Cup because I'm a massive England fan. When it comes to the World Cup and Euros I've always got the England shirt on and I'm with the lads watching it at the local pub.

"It's a massive thing to be thought of to be in that senior squad - it's great to have had a little mention off the England manager."

Capello has shown a willingness to give the next generation of England players a chance, from our own Jordan Henderson to Arsenal's Jack Wilshere and Manchester United pair Phil Jones and Chris Smalling.

Kelly believes the future is bright.

"The word 'potential' is used a lot and I think the generation coming up that's my age, there's a really good squad there," said the defender, who has two U21 caps in his collection.

"There is definitely the quality there to replace the people who are getting a little bit older now. I think it will be exciting times in the next three or four years when my generation grows up and gets into their mid-twenties. We'll have a really good side."

Kelly on his international dream

Kelly has been schooled as a footballer by Liverpool since the age of seven.

He helped our reserves win the league in 2008 before Rafael Benitez brought him off the substitutes' bench for a debut against PSV later that year.

A loan move to Huddersfield Town in West Yorkshire followed, where he earned superlative reviews from coach Terry McDermott.

Liverpool fans had to wait until a Champions League clash with Lyon in October 2009 to really see what Kelly was about, with the youngster performing like a seasoned pro on his first competitive start.

Through all of this he stayed at home, where mum and dad would cook his meals and wash his clothes.

That remained the case until earlier this year when he finally acquired his own place.

"I've been moved out five months now and I'm still missing my mum and dad's cooking," he said. "They usually come to mine and do it though.

"It's a big change but you've got to take that step some time. I've settled in now and I've got great neighbours, and I'm always going back to my mum and dad's, mainly for food. I can do my own washing and drying. 

"It's good to live on your own and have your own time and space."

With his life transformed beyond recognition, Kelly is now as familiar to the viewers of Match of the Day as he is the gateman at Melwood.

So what's the best thing about being a Premier League footballer?

"The best thing is playing for one of the top sides in the world," he said. "It's the best feeling you can have because of the amount of people who love football in this country.

"To be doing it on such a big stage is something that dreams are made of. I've been able to turn one of my dreams as a kid into a reality."