"When a new striker arrives, even if it is someone of Morientes' stature, I am certain Mellor will still have a future at Anfield.
"He has been terrific since getting his chance and I am delighted he has proved right those of us who knew he was a top finisher.
"Since Thierry Henry burst onto the scene, it frustrates me a bit that every striker is judged on being the complete player in the same way he is.
"People seem to forget Henry is a one-off and in this game, different strikers have different qualities and we should be praising someone like Mellor for what he can do, not emphasising any limitations.
"Ten years ago, I think people would be raving about Mellor for the impact he has had with so little top flight experience.
"When I broke into the Liverpool team, Kenny Dalglish's instruction to me was simple: "Just you worry about scoring goals, nothing else," he said.
"I know the game has changed a lot, but the basic principle is the same. Players who score regularly are worth their weight in gold. If you do nothing for 89 minutes, but score the winner in the 90th, you have done your job.
"As a manager, it is this kind of player you want more than any, because there aren't many around. There is no doubt Mellor still has a lot to learn, but there is not much improvement needed when it comes to his finishing.
"As far as I am concerned, scoring goals is the hardest thing in football. It's a dying art, but Mellor has definitely got it. There are other parts of his game which will come with experience."