Spearing eager to impress

Liverpool youngster Jay Spearing says he is commited to proving to Rafa Benitez that he can do a good job in the Reds midfield.

The 20-year-old recently agreed a new deal with the club and started Wednesday evening’s pre-season friendly against St. Gallen in Switzerland.

After breaking into the first team on a number of occasions during the 2009/10 campaign, Spearing now hopes he can impress Benitez enough to earn him more opportunities.

“I loved every minute on Wednesday,” Spearing told the club’s official web site. “Any chance I get I’ve got to impress. I want to show Stevie that I am capable of playing alongside him – and I need to show that to Rafa Benitez as well.

“As soon as the offer of a new deal came I wanted to get pen to paper. This is the club where I want to be and this is where I want to play my football in the years to come.

“I want to make the step up as soon as possible. I’ve been in the reserves for a few years so I need to push on.”