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IT’S nearly 10 months since Martin Kelly ’s world was turned upside down. The Liverpool defender’s impressive start to life under Brendan Rodgers was cruelly halted in the closing stages of last September’s clash with Manchester United.

Kelly landed awkwardly on the Anfield turf and his worst fears were realised when a scan confirmed that he had ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. His season was over.

“It wasn’t the pain, it was the sound when I did it which meant I knew straight away it was a serious one,” Kelly said.

“I was trying to dribble the ball out at the time. I was trying to put the two guys off in front of me. I was looking up at the stand, while trying to go the other way, so I wasn’t looking where I was going.

“As I was just about to plant my foot I got a tap from Robin van Persie which knocked me off balance.

“I remember Carra coming over saying ‘come on, there are only a couple of minutes left’ but I knew I wouldn’t be able to carry on.

“I should have been stretchered off but I walked off with it because I was still in shock.”

As Whiston-born Kelly came to terms with the crushing setback, he briefly feared that history was about to repeat itself.

His father Brian’s non-league career had been ended by the same injury when he was 32.

“That was the big chat when I first did it as it ended my dad’s playing days with St Helens,” Kelly said.

“That was one of the most difficult things for me and my dad to get over, but we stayed positive and all the medical staff were fantastic.

“The first couple of weeks were the toughest when you have to accept the injury. Once you have accepted it you have to put a plan in place where there is no time to dwell on it.

“I went to London to be operated on by Dr Williams who was highly recommended and he did a great job.

“They take the patella tendon out at the front of your knee and use that to make a new cruciate ligament. It heals twice as strong as your original cruciate but you’re left with a third of the tendon missing.”

Kelly’s rehabilitation programme has been long and gruelling but the support of his team-mates has helped keep his spirits up.

With Reds midfielder Lucas Leiva having suffered the same injury in November 2011, help and advice has never been far away.

“Even when I was out, all the lads made sure I still felt part of the team,” he said.

“I came in to do my work at the same time as them so I was with them before they went out to train. I was still involved in all the meetings and that was good mentally for me.

“It was great to have Lucas around to talk to. When I’d say my tendon was aching he would reassure me that was normal.

“He was a big support but his rehab was different to mine. His cruciate was done by a tackle, mine was done by being off balance.

“He was back within six months but my rehab took longer because I’m a different type of player to Lucas.

“The surgeon made it clear that I could only go back into training when I felt like I not only had the strength but also the balance work to go with it otherwise I could go over on it again.

“I’m the type of person who takes that bit longer to heal. I did a lot of work in the gym on my strength, core and balance.

“Then I stepped things up gradually by doing a few sessions with the under-18s and then the under-21s before training with the lads at Melwood.

“You have to be careful. I was speaking to (Newcastle’s) Ryan Taylor towards the back end of last season and he’s had terrible luck.

“He was on the verge of making a comeback and then did his cruciate again. Now he’s had a successful operation and I wish him all the best. He must be a strong character as it must be so difficult to suffer that twice.”

All Kelly’s hard graft has paid off. A two-inch scar provides a constant reminder of his battle back to fitness but he was given the green light by the club’s medical staff to play a full part in pre-season training this week.

He hopes to make his long-awaited return to action in next Saturday’s opening friendly against Preston at Deepdale.

“My knee feels perfect and I’m just glad to be back with the team for pre-season,” he said.

“I came back a week before the other lads to give me a headstart. It’s been tough this week with double sessions but the footballs came out straightaway and it’s been enjoyable.

“It’s been 10 months now so the knee has had more than enough time to heal. Now I just feel unfit, I don’t feel like I’ve had a big injury. I’ve put it behind me – that was last season, this is a new season.

“Pre-season is about getting my fitness back. I’m looking forward to the Preston game and I’m sure there will be a few nerves leading up to it as I haven’t played since last September. I want to get that first game out of the way and then crack on.

“I can’t go into it thinking I can just carry on where I left off. I had major surgery and need to take it step by step. I don’t want to put pressure on myself by saying this is a massive season for me as I don’t know how quickly I’ll get back to where I was.”

Rodgers demonstrated his faith in the 23-year-old back in February when he was handed a new four-year contract. It was the perfect fillip during his rehab and meant a lot to the Academy graduate.

“We had been talking about a new contract before I got injured,” he said. “I only had 18 months to go so it was great to get that sorted and be able to focus solely on getting fit. After starting last season well I think I showed Brendan what I could do. I need to repay the manager by trying my hardest and keeping fit throughout the next four years.”

Injuries are the reason Kelly has clocked up just 54 appearances – despite making his debut nearly five years ago.

Serious back, groin, hamstring and knee problems have hampered his progress at Anfield but the strapping 6ft 3ins defender is now stronger and wiser, and determined to fulfil his wealth of potential.

“It’s about giving your body respect and being really professional to give yourself the best possible chance of performing at the top level,” he added.

“When you are younger, you love football, you enjoy it, but you don’t take it as seriously as more experienced players.

“I’ve had the injuries and I know how to look after my body now – making sure it gets the right rest and food. That’s going to stand me in good stead.

“I know what limits my body can take now.

“We have pushed it to the limits over the past eight months so it can withstand the demands of the Premier League. Fingers crossed this is the season when it all turns around for me and I get that little bit of luck so I can really push on.”

Reds full-back happy to take centre stage

MARTIN KELLY is ready to make the switch to centre stage if Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers calls upon him this season.

The 23-year-old right-back has long since been touted as a future Reds centre-back and Kelly believes he could adapt to a change of position.

“It’s always ideal being able to play in two positions,” he said.

“I love playing right-back but if it came to it I could definitely be a centre-back.

“I feel like I’ve got all the attributes.

“All the positional sense was drummed into me when I played there when I was a kid.

“The last time I played in the middle was for England Under-21s but that’s not the same as playing there at club level where it’s much faster. Before that it was just with the Academy.

“It would take time for me to become a Premier League centre-back but I can learn from the experienced defenders we’ve got here.”

One of them is Kolo Toure, who arrived on a free transfer from Manchester City this summer.

“Kolo seems like a really good addition to the squad,” Kelly added.

“In the sessions we’ve had he’s been talking and organising.

“I think he will really help in terms of team spirit.

“We’ve lost a massive character with Carra hanging his boots up and needed someone to step in with that type of character.

“Kolo is that kind of leader and will be a great asset.”