Reserves in profile: Jay Spearing

Jimmy Rice

16th Dec 2008 - Latest News

As Gary Ablett's reserves prepare to take on Hull in Warrington tonight, we continue our series looking in depth at the second string squad.

Today we're talking to Jay Spearing, who made his Liverpool debut in last week's Champions League victory over PSV.

The central midfielder spent 10 years at the Academy before graduating to Melwood in the summer of 2007.

He left Kirkby on a high having captained the under-18s to their second successive FA Youth Cup.

In May 2007, Spearing was voted best player at the Torneo di Renate after a Liverpool under-20s side competed against the likes of AC Milan and Parma.

The 20-year-old then played a crucial role as Gary Ablett's second string clinched the FA Premier Reserve League title in 2007-08.

spearing1

Strengths?

I'd say passing: long and short. My positional play and desire are good too.

Areas to improve?

I think the main thing would be pace. I do a lot of strength work on my legs to try and improve the speed and power. I do extra work before or after training on that. I also need to keep working on my left foot!

Who's the longest in the shower among the ressies?

Got to be Jordy Brouwer. He just stands there for ages. Everyone's queuing up and he's there saying 'two minutes' and working on his hair.

Film?

Superbad. Have you seen it? It's class.

Ringtone?

Mr Brightside by The Killers - very good tune. It reminds me of the Youth Cup because we used to put it on before we went out.

Career high?

Coming on in the Champions League. I'm on cloud nine at the moment. I was sharing a room with Darbs (Stephen Darby) after the game and we couldn't sleep for ages because we were thinking about the experience we'd just had. I got 37 text messages after the game, then more as the night went on. I couldn't reply to them all. I phoned my dad. He is a proud man - all the family are. They were made up when I got home.

If you weren't a footballer?

A PE teacher.

Three things you'd take to a desert island?

A phone, a TV and a Sky plus box.

Hero as a kid?

I used to play defence and so I'd look at Sami Hyypia. Then as I got older it was Steven Gerrard. I had him on my shirt.

TV show?

Prison Break.

Band?

Kings of Leon. I've just bought their new album - it's class.


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The match is live on LFC TV and online from 6.30pm GMT this evening.