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Capello considers Kelly call-up

Reds defender impresses England coach in Arsenal win

England boss Fabio Capello has revealed he is considering giving Liverpool defender Martin Kelly a call-up into the senior squad.

Kelly has established himself as a key member of the Liverpool side over the last 18 months after earning an extended run in the side under Kenny Dalglish last term.

The versatile defender, who can play at centre-back as well as right-back, has won two caps for England Under 21s and he is now in contention for the senior side.

Capello watched Kelly in action during Liverpool's 2-0 win over Arsenal at the Emirates on Saturday and he is a big admirer of the 21-year-old stopper.

"I see some players interesting for me, some new players like Kelly the right-back, he is really interesting," Capello told Sky Sports' Goals On Sunday.

"He is young and he played a good, good game."

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_7116142,00.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

poolsupporter wrote:Him getting a call up would be quite the statement for our youth.

Sepi wrote:Just wanted to say that I am loving the fact that our team is full of Brits now.

Arquitecto wrote:Kelly should be called up as he is twice.... no thrice the player Richards is.

ynwa wrote:Damn. Would of rathered Kelly not playing for England. :\

Now we're going to have to worry for yet another player not getting injured.

SkyGraemeBailey Graeme Bailey
Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp admits he tried to sign Ashley Young, Phil Jones and Stewart Downing. bit.ly/oxLz53
37 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

glen_johnson Glen Johnson
3 hours in and going strong. :-)

Charlie26Adam Charlie Adam
@glen_johnson its gotta be something special to last that long.

Stewart Downing believes Liverpool's team spirit could give them an edge over their rivals this season.

The 27-year-old arrived at Melwood just a few weeks ago but was instantly struck by the camaraderie in the camp.

He told Liverpoolfc.tv: "There's a good mix of lads, young and old, English lads and foreign lads. We all get on very well, which helps a lot.

"Team spirit is a massive part of football and I sensed that straight away. The lads are really close and I think that helps on the pitch. It's showing in our performances.

"I'm very excited about what we could achieve this season. With the squad we have now, you can see there's a lot of quality, even on the bench. There are people who aren't getting picked who are top players. For the manager it's probably a headache but one he'd like."

Downing already knew several Liverpool players before signing from Aston Villa having played alongside them during 27 England caps and eight run-outs for the U21s.

He added: "I knew a couple of the lads, obviously Andy (Carroll) and Jordan (Henderson), who I've got along well with since I've come here. With the north-east connection, we've probably clicked straight away.

"Carra, I've been for something to eat with him. He's showed me around, which is very nice. Stevie and Glen Johnson as well.

"I was quite lucky that I knew a lot of the players because it can be daunting going into a new dressing room. All the lads have chipped in and we all speak to each other."

Downing and co entertain Bolton at the weekend hoping to build on back-to-back victories following our opening day draw with Sunderland.

"We've got to make Anfield a cauldron, a hard place to come," added the winger. "I thought we played very well against Sunderland, especially the first half.

"But at Arsenal it was a very good team performance. We have to build on that. It'll be tough. I watched Bolton against Man City and they played very well. They were unlucky not to get something.

"They pass it around a lot now. He (Owen Coyle) has brought Tuncay in who I played with at Middlesbrough. He's a very good footballer, and Eagles is a good winger. Their style of play is to get it down, pass the ball and get it wide - similar to how we play, a little bit. I think it will be a good game of football."

A Reds victory would make it seven points from their opening three league games, which would be the club's best Premier League start for 17 years.

With Luis Suarez tallying three goals in three games, and Andy Carroll opening his 2011-12 account on Wednesday, Downing is confident Liverpool have the firepower to continue their impressive start.

"Luis is obviously a top player," said the England man. "I've seen him in the Copa America and could see what qualities he has. He's carried that on.

LFCCTV: Suarez v Exeter

"I thought he'd be a little bit tired from the tournament because he hasn't had a rest but he's buzzing because of the win they had. He's scored three in three now and long may that continue.

"He's a top player, one of the best players in the world. He is an off-the-cuff player, you never know what he's going to do. He's really good to play with.

"He creates, he scores and he's a big asset to have. I'm looking forward to playing many games with him."

Downing added: "I'm sure (the goal against Exeter) will give Andy a lot of confidence. Strikers are obviously judged on goals. He'd been doing very well without scoring, and now with Luis scoring and Andy off the mark, it all bodes well for the team."

Sepi wrote:Not sure if people know it, but Downing is also a house DJ.

Imagine if we win something....Downing is gonna DJ, Carroll will get the drinks, and Kuyt and Suarez will dance like crazy