Shelvey seeks maximum Liverpool playing time with Under-21s role

09-Mar-2013 5:50:00 PM

The Reds midfielder has played only four first-team matches since the turn of the year and is looking to keep himself primed and developing by playing youth football

Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey says that he is seeking as much playing time as possible as he starts to make more regular appearances for the club's Under-21s side.

The youngster was a consistent figure for the Reds in the first half of the Premier League season but has appeared just four times for the first team since the start of 2013, turning out against Manchester United and Southampton for the team's youth XI more recently.

"I just want to keep playing games because there's nothing worse than training all week and not playing at the weekend. It's a case of getting myself some games and keeping myself ticking over," Shelvey told the club's official website.


LIVERPOOL LATEST
12/1	Jonjo Shelvey is 12/1 with BetVictor to score the last goal in Liverpool v Tottenham

"I was told I was playing against United for the Under-21s. I thought it was because they were against a bigger team and they're doing so well, I might help the team get a win."

However, even with Shelvey in the side the young Reds managed only a 1-1 draw against Southampton and a 1-0 defeat to United.

"After that, I said to Brendan [Rodgers]: 'If there are any other games that fit in with the schedule, can I play in them?'" the midfielder continued.

"Liverpool fans should be excited for the players that they've got coming through and hopefully they can progress and get themselves games in the first team."

When asked who has impressed him most recently, Shelvey replied: "There are a few, the boy in midfield, Joao [Texeira] - I think he's going to be a great player. Suso has dropped down and played well the other night."

Inside Goal.Com

Goal Special: I-League Team of the Season
Each of Goal's correspondents select their own XI, before eventually settling on a combined team, which represents the best of the lot from the 2012-13 season...
Champions League Final Tactical Analysis
Brendon Netto analyzes where the Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich could be own or lost.
How Heynckes was always undermined
The veteran coach will step down from his position in charge of Die Roten after the Champions League final at Wembley. Goal reflects on how Heynckes was never given due credit....
Transfer Talk: Read all the gossips
The Goal.com Rumour Mill is your 24/7 source for all the latest rumblings in the global transfer market.
Who is the greatest CL striker ever?
Enter our competition now and you will be in with a chance of winning one of four replica football shirts. Simply pick your favourite and subscribe to our YouTube channel