Martin Kelly has paid tribute to the club's medical staff at Melwood for helping him stay in the best possible condition and be a regular member of Kenny Dalglish's squad this season.

After suffering with injuries in the past, extra work in the gym after training has helped build up his strength and the England U21 international is feeling in great shape.

"The big positive for me so far this season has been being available for every squad and being injury free," said Kelly.

"That's a big thanks to the medical staff at the club and doing work in the gym after training which has helped keep me in tip-top shape."

Kelly also spoke about the intense competition for places at Anfield as he competes with the likes of England's Glen Johnson and Jon Flanagan for the right-back slot.

He added: "It can be frustrating at times being in and out of the side but that's because of the club I'm at. It's got such good players and I've got to wait for my chance. When I do play I just have to keep showing everyone what I can do.

"It's just a privilege for me whenever I get the chance from the boss to play for this club. All I can do is keep working hard and progress as a young player.

"Competition for places is very strong here and I think it needs to be at a club like Liverpool.

"For me to get the best out of my career I need the top players around pushing me and I can also learn off them."

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While the Reds have Sunday's FA Cup 5th round tie with Brighton on their minds and the forthcoming Carling Cup final at Wembley looming on the horizon, Kelly insists their form in the cups can help Liverpool's top-four ambitions.

He said: "We've got a good squad here and it's always a good boost when we get through to the next round of a cup.

"The form in the cup does help you in the Premier League and we all want to do our best and try and get into the top-four.

"We have got to take each Premier League game as it comes now. We've got to put a good graft in and get the results we want.

"We are training well but sometimes things haven't gone our way so we'll take each game as they come and take it from there.

"The Premier League is even tighter now and every season teams are getting better with improvements being made to each squad.

"There is no easy game in the Premier League any more. Years ago you would see teams winning 6-0 but it doesn't happen like that anymore and is why this is the best league in the world."