Kelly targets finishing touch
Martin Kelly's career may well be very much in the ascendancy, but the man himself believes there's one area of his game that has room for improvement – and he's determined to do just that.
The 21-year-old has made 18 appearances for the first team so far this season, including five consecutive starts since the Carling Cup final.
And while delighted with how his Liverpool career is progressing, Kelly admits there's one statistic he's eager to change.
A towering header in the 2-0 Carling Cup quarter-final win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last November is the only time he's found the back of the net in his senior career, but not for want of trying.
"With each game I have felt stronger and stronger to get into the positions I want to be," Kelly told Liverpoolfc.tv during a chat at Melwood.
"I have got myself into a few good positions, I just need to start finishing them off. I think the goals will come. I've enjoyed starting and learning in the games I've had.
"As you progress in your career, you want to score goals. The main thing is I am getting into those positions and the goals will come.
"As a modern day full-back, you've got to be getting into those positions as well as winning your one-on-one battles with the winger.
"I'll keep working on it in training."
Kelly isn't the only member of the Liverpool squad to have felt the frustration of a missed chance this season, but the England U21 international is confident the Reds aren't far away from becoming prolific in front of goal.
"It would be a different story if we weren't creating chances, but we are and we just need to finish them off," he added.
"When we do get into the routine of finishing off chances we create, we're going to be a very dangerous team to play against."
Kenny Dalglish confirmed on Friday Kelly is in contention to continue his run of five consecutive Barclays Premier League starts against Wigan Athletic this afternoon having picked up a knock earlier in the week.
The Latics will set off on their short journey to Merseyside in 19th position in the table, but Kelly isn't expecting an easy afternoon for Liverpool.
Nonetheless, the full-back insists the Reds are eager to build up some momentum as they head into the final straight of 2011-12.
"I think it is a difficult time to play the teams in and around the relegation zone," he said. "Their team talks must be 'live or die'.
"They've got to try and win at Anfield, but we're Liverpool and we've got to win every game - that's what is drummed into us.
"It will be tough because they're fighting against relegation and will give that extra few per cent, but we've got the ability to hopefully win the game.
"Every game is important to win and get into that winning habit. You need to try to get into a winning habit in every game, whether it's League Cup, FA Cup or Premier League.
"We've got to get back to winning ways. We're doing the right things, we've just got to get the wins.
"Every game is a tough game in the Premier League, but we'll see what we can conjure up and try and put the performance on the fans want."