A Chance For This Starlet To Force His Way Into The Team?

Liverpool’s resources in midfield have been somewhat stretched of late. With Steven Gerrard already sat on the sidelines, Lucas Leiva’s season was then prematurely ended by injury, and Jay Spearing marked his first league start of the season with a red card which ruled him out for three games.

As a result, it could mean that Jonjo Shelvey gets a chance in the first team sooner rather than later. The 19-year-old had been on loan at Blackpool in the Championship, but was recalled after Lucas’ was ruled out for the rest of the campaign. The former Charlton player had impressed at Bloomfield Road; scoring six goals in 10 games and winning the young player of the month award for November.

He has revealed his delight at the success of his temporary switch and now wants to take his chance and wants to break into the first team, telling the Liverpool Echo:

“I think that going out on loan has helped me get my confidence back up and I think I am showing that in training back here. I have got to try to force my way into the Liverpool team and stay there. I feel this is a good chance for me to kick on.”

Shelvey made his first Premier League appearance of the season against QPR last weekend, coming on as a late substitute for Stewart Downing. He showed signs of great potential in his first season, making 21 appearances in all competitions, and followed that up with his fine form for Blackpool, which saw him net a hat-trick against Leeds United.

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With the difficult festive period set to commence, and many league games in quick succession, Shelvey is likely to see a fair bit of playing time in the near future. Spearing is still missing for two more games, while there has been no timescale given for Gerrard’s return.

Charlie Adam and Jordan Henderson are left as the only recognised centre midfielders at the club, and both have already featured heavily during this campaign. Dalglish may be forced to rest one of them at some point over the next few fixtures, which could give Shelvey the perfect opportunity to make his mark.

He put in some impressive performances last season, and when he couldn’t find a way into the team this time around he went out on loan and demonstrated his true capabilities. He has the right attitude and is clearly a hungry player. If he can seize this chance it could be the making of him at Anfield.

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