Profile

Jay Spearing is a local midfielder on the edges of the first team.

The youngster graduated to Melwood in 2007 after lifting our second successive FA Youth Cup - the highlight of his near-decade at the Academy.

A broken leg meant Spearing missed most of the previous campaign, though he did feature as a late substitute when the young Reds beat Man City in the final.

In May 2007, the starlet was voted best player at the Torneo di Renate after a Liverpool U20s side competed against the likes of AC Milan and Parma.

He then played a crucial role as Gary Ablett's second string clinched the FA Premier Reserve League title in 2007-08.

Spearing, who was seen as a defender during his rise through the ranks, came on as a substitute in a Champions League clash with PSV on December 9, 2008 to make his senior debut.

What the Wirral-born youngster lacks in height, he makes up in hunger and energy. These attributes prompted the Kop to sing his name for the first time during an electric cameo as the mighty Real Madrid were dispatched 4-0 in March 2009.

The 2009-10 campaign brought a long-awaited first start in the Premier League against Sunderland. Spearing then joined Championship side Leicester City on loan for the final two months of the season, scoring one goal in nine appearances.

This experience gained in the Football League proved critical in 2010-11, when he played regularly for Liverpool's senior side under both Roy Hodgson and Kenny Dalglish. Injuries to the likes of Steven Gerrard ensured 'Speo' got 20 chances to impress - and he proved himself more than worthy of the shirt.