John Aldridge: Lucas' Suspension Will Give England Defender Chance To Impress

John Aldridge believes that Martin Kelly could be handed a first start of the season after Lucas Leiva was ruled out of the match against Crystal Palace through suspension.

Just six games into the season Lucas has already picked up five yellow cards and as a result will miss the next game as the Reds look to continue their impressive start to the season.

The Merseyside club currently sit second in the table, having lost just one league game so far in the campaign, and Aldridge believes that Kelly - who came off the substitues bench against Manchester United in the Capital One Cup - can take advantage of Lucas' unavailability as Rodgers if forced to shuffle his pack.

He told the Liverpool Echo: "There's something not quite right when you're serving a ban in the first week of October! There is a ready made solution for Brendan Rodgers this weekend, though.

"If Joe Allen is still out injured Jordan Henderson would relish the chance to play a more central role again - and that would give the opportunity for Martin Kelly to make a long awaited return to the first team fold. It would be great to see him back at last."

Rodgers has been experimenting with the starting line-up this season as he has switched to a back three, with two wing-backs in the form of Jose Enrrique and Jordan Henderson

The system seems tailor made for the injured duo of Glen Johnson and Philippe Coutinho but Aldridge still remains unsure whether it will be a success.

"I am not usually a great lover of the formation Brendan Rodgers has introduced in the last two matches - but I have to say it suits the clientele he has at his disposal," he explained. "Ironically the formation is working well even without two players who seem ideally suited to it.

"Glen Johnson is a natural fit for the right wing-back role, while the prospect of Philippe Coutinho operating behind Sturridge and Suarez is a mouth watering one.

He added: "The system isn't perfect, though."