10 things you need to know about Liverpool starlet Jay Spearing
Liverpool's youth system has not exactly been the pride of Merseyside of late. To put things into context, the last homegrown first-team player to emerge from the Reds' academy was Stephen Warnock in 2004 - and before the now-Aston Villa full-back, Anfield had not seen one of their own make the grade since a fresh-faced Steven Gerrard replaced Vegard Heggem as a last-minute substitute against Blackburn in November 1998.
All of which raises the following questions: Why are Liverpool worse at producing talent than Louis Walsh? Does the Anfield boot-room have a thing for blokes called Steve? And, is there light at the end of the Mersey tunnel?
While MirrorFootball may not be able to answer the first two of these imponderables mercifully for Liverpool there is a new knight in shining armour galloping through the ranks and, no, he's not called Stevie G or Stevie W.
Liverpool's great white hope goes by the name of Jay Spearing. And here are 10 things you ought to know about him:
1. Spearing is seen as the best thing to emerge from Liverpool since, erm, Bread. Having impressed since graduating to the Melwood training ground in 2007, he is expected to become a first-team fixture within the next two years.
2. Born on November 25, 1988 Spearing was not quite two when Liverpool won their last title, but after captaining Liverpool Under-18s to their second successive FA Youth Cup two years ago, the 20-year-old is no stranger to silverware.
3. Spearing also made a substitute's appearance in the 2006 Youth Cup final win over Manchester City but missed most of that season after broking his leg three matches into the season.
4. In May 2007, Spearing was voted best player at the Torneo di Renate after the Reds' U20s side competed in a tournament including AC Milan and Parma.
5. Spearing's rapid rise through the ranks saw him promoted from the youth team to the reserves, where he won the 2007-08 league title with the Gary Ablett-coached team.
6. Spearing started out in central defence but the 5' 6" youngster can play at both right-back and in midfield.
7. Spearing has made three first-team appearances to date for Liverpool, making his debut in the Champions League against PSV Eindhoven last December and also featuring in the 4-0 drubbing of Real Madrid. His last run-out for the Reds was in this week's Carling Cup win over Leeds.
8. Spearing agreed to a new three-year deal at Liverpool in July, joining another home-grown youngster, Stephen Darby, in extending his stay at Anfield.
9. Spearing's Dad played at amateur level for various clubs on Merseyside, including Ashville FC in Wallasey, where 'Speo' played alongside the sports presenter Ray Stubbs.
10. Spearing's favourite player is Jamie Carragher. "He's from Liverpool and has a love for the club which I think I have," he said of his Anfield idol. "I don't want to go anywhere else and if it was up to me I never would. If I do half as well as Jamie in my career I'll be very proud."
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