Gary Neville turns to forgotten Liverpool star to revive Salford City as manager fumes

Former Liverpool defender Martin Kelly has not played a competitive match since February 2023 and could now be offered the opportunity to begin a coaching career at Salford City

Salford City are set to turn to former Liverpool defender Martin Kelly to enhance their coaching staff amid a difficult start to the season.

The Ammies have endured a tough start to the 2024/25 season and sit 16th in League Two. Kelly has spent some time working under Salford boss Karl Robinson this term and featured for the team in pre-season.

It now appears that Kelly could be offered the first shoots of a post-playing career according to reports, though he harbours ambitions of continuing after his departure from West Bromwich Albion earlier this year. The 34-year-old last made an appearance in February 2023 when, after moving on loan to Wigan, the central defender suffered a serious knee injury on his debut.

Kelly continued his rehabilitation from the injury but was unable to feature for West Brom last term. That led to his release from the club at the end of the season.

The veteran defender made 62 appearances for Liverpool when starting his career, before spending eight years with Crystal Palace. Kelly played 148 times for the Eagles in an extensive Premier League career before making a move the Hawthorns in 2022.

His next move could be to help Salford finally earn promotion from League Two under Robinson. Though the club's form will need to improve to fulfil that ambition.

After defeat to Grimsby Town this weekend, the referees received the ire of ex-Charlton and Oxford United manager Robinson. The 44-year-old was left raging in the aftermath of the 2-1 loss thanks to the performance of the officials and his team's defending.

“I would love to know how it could be that bad of a performance, it’s impossible,” the Salford boss said.

"The penalty is an absolute disgrace. I can say our defending and finishing was a disgrace at times today as well, but that was only part of the story today. Some of the tackles as well, I’m surprised that some of my players aren’t in a worse place.

"I’d say the better team lost. At the end of the day they won, but I am absolutely fuming on external influences on the result. It sounds worse when you lose, but at the end of the day that was not an acceptable performance from the officials today.

"Our defending for the two goals was appalling, though, and I’ve gone absolutely crazy at the players. We were the better team today and I don’t think anybody could argue that with the chances we created.”

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