Poll: Who Starts Against United, Glen Johnson or Martin Kelly?

Then again Kelly is probably more solid defensively, which would be a great asset against the mancs

If Glen is fully fit, he is much better.  Kelly is too weak going forward

Kelly for president!

Seriously though, In what is bound to be a loong game against comeback Mancs, i'd prefer an in-form Kelly over returning-to-full-fitness Glenda.

kelly anyday,johnson is a defender who cant defend and will definitely struggle against ash young and give a penalty

Guys guys guys GUYS GUYS.

The more important question we should all be asking ourselves.

DONI or REINA.

They are both fit and either can be the best right back in the league on their day.

I chose Doni. 

No brainer for me. Experience counts more than anything. Johnson is fit, he's faced up against Manu quite a bit more. Let's use him. 

great read as always

Johnson can cut inside onto his left foot which Kelly can't, tbh I've never been that impressed by Kellys attcking play though it will improve. With ManU  weak in the defensive midfielder area, and roony tracking back less nowadays,  I think a full back who can cut inside is a great asset

that said has johnno been out too long to be thrust into facing a team with the strongest wing play in the league?

martik kelly is good but at 6'3" I think center back is in his future and I would much prefer him there, but glen johnson is coming back from injury and should be eased back into the line up.  Whenever we can we replace carragher with coates or kelly.  This hopefully is carragher's last year

respect ur elders.

Fitness concerns aside, Glen Johnson is Liverpool's first choice right fullback.  Martin Kelly is a year or two away from reaching the highs that Johnson can.  I am still holding out hope that Kelly can be a centre half.  Kelly's future is very interesting, though.

I think the Johnson-at-right-midfield dream is pretty much dead, though given how he's never once been tried there despite fans screaming for it probably means it was never considered by either of the managers he's played under (Hodgson doesn't count). The closest he's come is wing-back in the 3-5-2 formation. Seeing as how we're got Dirky and Henderson now for RM and Maxi and Downing who can both play on either flank, Johnson advancing further up the field to RM is pretty unlikely.

Both Kelly and Johnson are coming off injury and will both have ring-rust, but I went for Kelly cuz Johnson's been out for much longer (correct me if I'm wrong). Would like to see Kelly gradually be moved to the middle since that's supposedly his final position. If Henderson can start 5 league matches in a row, surely Kelly can get 30 minutes at CB.

Glen Johnson is one of the best right backs in the world on his day! So its obviously him.

I would normally go with Johnson, but considering the delicate nature of his legs I think it might  be best for the long term to get some sub appearances first just like KK has done with Gerrard. But honestly just like with Bellamy and Downing I'm just thrilled that Liverpool have enough depth to have this be an issue.

Is form at all an issue? I remember in the preseason matches Johnson's form not being top notch (along with the rest of the defense). In such a big fixture against ManUre, shouldn't the club choose the RB who's fit and had a a good game most recently? Maybe give Johnson the last 30-25 min of the match if the games in the bag (hopefully) or if a change of pace is needed.

But for the future i think Johnson makes this team far more dynamic, fits perfectly into pass and move, and can finish and cross better than kelly. Not a shot at kelly by any means, but Johnson may add some ability to finish to a side that has sorely needed it.

Pretty much my stance, exactly. Once Johnson has a chance to fully recover (I don't trust that he has), and get match fit, then I'm for Glen all day. As for Utd? Give it to Kelly, no need to rush Glendela back into a high intensity match that could have intense consequences for his tense hammy. Basically, I think King has to learn his lesson here, and treat Glen with the same patience we've seen him treat Stevo with.

I would say it depends on who else starts (Adam or Gerrard.)  If Adam starts I wouldn't want 2 defensive liabilities, so if he does I would want Kelly.  I want Glenny to start with Gerrard.  They seemed to have gelled well together and another attacker that Gerrard can work around is amazing.  I feel Adam won't use him as much unless he makes those amazing runs up the right wing to a Charlie Adam hail mary into the corner.  On the counter attack we'd probably get scored on though with Charles caught up in admiring his pass leaving lucas and 3 defenders.  Kelly usually works his way up the side.

Straight up. Couldn't have said that any better myself.

Johnson for his raw speed and ability to cause problems on the right for United in advanced positions. Either Johnson or Kelly will be able to handle Ashley Young but I fell that only Johnson and his speed will be able to close down Patrice Evra adequately if they get matched up on him during the game. Dirk Kuyt is required for this game to help close down the Evra/Young duo on the left.

I went for Johnson, but its very close. Kelly's been playing well in the past few games, but I can't help but think Glen's experience and recovery pace will be a big plus against (presumably) Ashley Young. Against a team likely to attack wide and with pace, Glen seems to be the better option.

Has to be Martin Kelly against Manure as with the wingers they have Martin would be my pick. But I think the main point that should be made no matter who starts at right back they won't play as well without Dirk Kurk getting the role at left midfield.

Exactly

If you look at the numbers that Noel's hi-lighted it's Jonno all day. However, his emergence as the heir to the Fabio-Man-Of-Glass mantle is as much of a worry as Martin's eagerness to compete for said mantle. I think Jonno is a little harshly judged in relation to his defensive strength but Kelly genuinely seems to have the edge in that department as well as being mobile and competent in an attacking capacity. Tough call. I would say Kells edges it, happy with either.

Hey, I voted for Johnson—I'm one of those who has pushed the argument that any of the world's best attacking fullbacks/wingbacks would have looked similarly shaky last season in Hodgson's system, which is where a lot of the bad numbers are coming from. Still, them's the numbers—I certainly have opinions, but I try hard not to let them lead to bias.

Anyhow, got all the time in the world for Kelly, but Johnson's always been saddled with an overly negative image since he arrived and I think people really underestimate what he brings in a system tailored to his strengths. In the end I'd rather see Kelly worked into the center if they both stay fit for a while, and I'm downright shocked that last year's "Johnson on the wing to fit Hodgson's banks of four" idea's getting a re-airing today despite that now the club has attacking players who can't even make the bench (that and anyone who's been around for a while knows that idea was my Moby Dick for a month or so last fall/winter).

Ok fine Johnson. Can I change my vote?

Surprised Kelly's pass accuracy is so low.. is that a result of him being more involved defensively and thus having to clear the ball in pressure situations? Regardless of that Kelly is the man

There might be some wiggle room in what gets defined as one or the other, but the stats count clearances as seperate from passes. Best guess would be he's a bigger fan of the hoof than Johnson, but that's only a guess.

Glen on the wing for the last 30 minutes, when we're up 3-0. Imagine what a technically gifted right wing could do for our pass'n'move! Then we can play The DIRK in the tough away games

Yes....imagine that. I believe his name is Maxi and he has a few months of splinters in his ass. But on the positive side, at least we've been blooding Henderson for the future. Or something.

Now I just need to bag Adam's lack of....everything....and my work here is done.

And I'm for Kelly next week. But good to have quality options either way.

jonno for me - assuming he's healthy and match-fit, and that hendo doesn't start on the right.  i think Kelly could handle their wing play reasonably well, but i'd rather give their wingers a job to do defensively, than soak up their pressure all day. good offense is the best defense, and all that. i reckon Dirk/Bellers and Jonno on the right would keep Evra and Ashley/Nani from getting too adventurous. or try to, leastways.

and speed is key against united, so unless Berba gets paroled for this match Carra's gonna want some swift (and experienced) backup. 

plus, if your veteran leaders don't lead, then what's the point?  (which is why i'd love to see Dirk and Bellers both get the nod, with Andy as the 2nd half change up). and Gaps Adam only starts if de gea's minding - he'd be our designated sniper. 

otherwise, i think they're gonna try #occupymiddleofthepark, so i (pre-emptively) vote for Jay over Charlie.

I gotta say, The Gap is an early favorite for adam's nickname that might stick... it describes not only the cavernous area between his central incisors, but also the volumnous space left in our midfield whereever he patrols...

...or in his skill set. that's why it's plural.  and charlie, we kid b/c we (hope to) love.

It's not right 'Blanca. You can't turn on Dough Boy Charlie like dat. U his last hope here.

 aw c'mon man, if i can't have a go at the people i love, then whats the point of living, honestly...

im all about Kelly, but assuming they're both fit and on song, its a wash - and arguably our stongest position, depthwise.

martin kelly

Martin Kelly all day against a good attack like United's, and perhaps put Johnson at right wing? That could be a saucy combination!

Johnson right wing?  what about pornstar Dirk?

Well my personal preference is for Pornstar Dirk to play centrally and a little bit deeper off Suarez, but considering it's united, a little bit of Dutch courage keeping Evra under wraps would be helpful. Certainly, a right side of Kuyt and Kelly looks very solid indeed. Against a weaker side though, I would like to see Kuyt up top. If you remember last season against United at Anfield, that Kuyt and Suarez combination demolished them so it's an option.

I actually think Johnson is overall a better right back, because he's ok defensively and much better going forward. Seeing as it's his first game back it seems a much safer option to go with the usually reliable Kelly.

As for playing Johnson at right wing, he's never been tested there properly, and I'm not advocating that we test him there against United, but I see no reason why it wouldn't work, as he seems to spend most of his time in the attacking third anyway.

But I don't think he's such a defensive liability that he can't play at right back. Noel made a good point that few right backs could've looked good under Roy Hodgson. So my main reason for voting for Kelly is that he probably edges it defensively, and he's generally pretty reliable, but mostly because it's Glen's first game back, and to ask him to mark Giggs/Young/Nani would be a pretty tall order when he's probably short of match fitness.