WHEN Liverpool FC last made the short trip to the DW Stadium 13 months ago, it appeared to have signalled the beginning of the end of Glen Johnson’s Anfield career.

What a difference a change of manager makes. Now, revitalised since the arrival of Kenny Dalglish in January, Johnson has become a mainstay of the meanest backline in the Premier League this season.

The Scot’s predecessor, Roy Hodgson, chose the aftermath of a 1-1 draw at Wigan Athletic last November to deliver a very public rebuke of the then crocked defender.

“He’s the England right-back and if he plays like that one would expect him to come back in,” said Hodgson. “But then he’d have to play like the England right-back and up to now, to be quite frank, he’s not performed – very often at least – to the level I’d expect of him.”

Cue speculation Johnson was on his way. But while out of form at the time, he wasn’t the only one to fall way below their usual high standard during Hodgson’s brief and uninspiring reign.

Witness the improvement once Dalglish assumed control in the New Year, the right-back among those to have rediscovered their verve during the calendar year.

Having had his start to the current campaign disrupted by injury, Johnson, who is expected to retain his place for tonight’s Premier League return to Wigan, is enjoying arguably his best spell at the club.

And with Martin Kelly waiting in the wings, Dalglish believes the increased competition for places is bringing more out of his players.

“Glen had a bad end to the season when he got injured,” says Dalglish. “Then he went away with England and came back and was injured at the start of this season.